A low cost flexible photocatalyst based on silver decorated Cu2O nanowires

Abstract

Abstract: In this study a low cost photocatalyst design was introduced based on the silver nanoparticle decorated Cu2O nanowires that were grown on flexible copper substrate. Photocatalyst was characterized by using scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray scattering (EDS), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometer. Band gap energy values for Cu2O and Ag decorated Cu2O were determined as 2.37 eV and 2.17 eV respectively. Photocatalytic activity was tested against methylene blue (MB) degradation at three different pH values. Although no noticeable difference was observed, pH 5.3 was faster. Decreasing methylene blue concentration was followed up by UV–vis spectroscopy. Visible light adsorption increased by decorating the Cu2O nanowires with silver nanoparticles. Kinetics of degradation was found to be first order with a R-squared value of 0.99. Nearly total MB was degraded at 300 min. Degradation was verified by high pressure liquid chromatography. Absence of initial MB retention peaks showed a successfully degradation under 100 W LED light illumination. Flexible copper support under the nanowire arrays presents an advantage of easy removal for the photocatalyst. After the end of the reaction, no photocatalyst residue is left when compared to the powder photocatalyst systems eliminating the heavy filtration processes. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]