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Size‐Dependent Visible Light Photocatalytic Performance of Cu 2 O Nanocubes
Author(s) -
Karthikeyan Sekar,
Kumar Santosh,
Durndell Lee J.,
Isaacs Mark A.,
Parlett Christopher M. A.,
Coulson Ben,
Douthwaite Richard E.,
Jiang Zhi,
Wilson Karen,
Lee Adam F.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201800439
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , photodegradation , phenol , visible spectrum , ascorbic acid , selectivity , photochemistry , aqueous solution , band gap , chemistry , materials science , catechol , catalysis , organic chemistry , food science , optoelectronics
Abstract Well‐defined Cu 2 O nanocubes with tunable dimensions and physicochemical properties have been prepared using a simple one‐pot reaction. Reduction of Cu(II) salts by ascorbic acid in the presence of PEG as a structure‐directing agent affords crystalline Cu 2 O nanocubes of between 50 to 500 nm. Optical band gap, band energies, charge‐carrier lifetimes and surface oxidation state systematically evolve with nanocube size, and correlate well with visible light photocatalytic activity for aqueous phase phenol degradation and H 2 production which are both directly proportional to size (doubling between 50 and 500 nm). HPLC reveals fumaric acid as the primary organic product of phenol degradation, and selectivity increases with nanocube size at the expense of toxic catechol. Apparent quantum efficiencies reach 26 % for phenol photodegradation and 1.2 % for H 2 production using 500 nm Cu 2 O cubes.