Self-assembly Cu2O nanowire arrays on Cu mesh: A solid-state, highly-efficient, and stable photocatalyst for toluene degradation under sunlight

Lixia Yang; Jiawei Guo; Tianqiao Yang; Chao Guo; Shuqu Zhang; Shenglian Luo; Weili Dai; Bing Li; Xubiao Luo; Yue Li

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123741

Self-assembly Cu₂O nanowire arrays on Cu mesh: A solid-state, highly-efficient, and stable photocatalyst for toluene degradation under sunlight

J Hazard Mater. 2021 Jan 15:402:123741. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123741. Epub 2020 Aug 23.

Authors

Lixia Yang¹, Jiawei Guo¹, Tianqiao Yang¹, Chao Guo¹, Shuqu Zhang², Shenglian Luo³, Weili Dai¹, Bing Li¹, Xubiao Luo¹, Yue Li⁴

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Control and Resources Recycle, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China.
² Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Control and Resources Recycle, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China. Electronic address: zhangshuqu2013@126.com.
³ Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Control and Resources Recycle, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China. Electronic address: sllou@hnu.edu.cn.
⁴ School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Henan University of Engineering, Zhengzhou, Henan 451191, PR China.

PMID: 33254768
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123741

Abstract

Sunlight driven photocatalysis offers an effective and eco-friendly technology for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) removal. Three dimensional (3D) and oriented structure can facilitate efficient photon absorption and rapid diffusion of VOCs, which prevails over the powder-formed catalysts. Herein, free-standing and uniform p-type Cu₂O nanowire (NW) arrays were obtained through heat treatment of Cu(OH)₂ NWs, which were spontaneously grown from Cu mesh in air under room temperature for the first time. The as-prepared Cu₂O NWs show excellent degradation performance in decomposing 30 ppm toluene (99.9 % within 120 min) and high stability (no decline after ten recycles). The toluene degradation was also conducted under the natural sunlight, demonstrating complete removal from 12:00 am to 15:00 pm. During photocatalysis, toluene is attacked by the photogenerated holes (h⁺) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH), and finally oxidized to nontoxic small molecules. The photocatalytic removing toluene with Cu₂O NWs/Cu mesh has a promising application prospect owing to its low cost, high efficiency, stability, and convenient operation.

Keywords: Degradation; Nanowire arrays; Solid-state photocatalyst; Spontaneous growth; Toluene.