Efficient complete oxidation of acetaldehyde into CO2 over CuBi2O4/WO3 composite photocatalyst under visible and UV light irradiation

Abstract

A highly efficient and visible light responsive photocatalyst was developed by combining the p-type semiconductor CuBi2O4 and the n-type semiconductor WO3. CuBi2O4/WO 3 showed higher reactivity than typical TiO2-based photocatalysts for the complete oxidation of acetaldehyde into CO2 under both UV and visible light. From photoelectrochemical measurements, the reaction mechanism is explained based on the model of the p-n photochemical diode for reductivity/oxdizability improvement. © 2007 American Chemical Society.