Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Synthesis of 2D WO3/Cu2O heterojunction nanosheet arrays with enhanced photocatalytic degradation activity and photoelectrochemical performance

  • Article
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The construct of close interface contacts and effective separation of photogenerated carriers is an effective strategy to enhanced the photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical properties of heterostructures. In this paper, the 2D WO3/Cu2O heterojunction nanosheet arrays were synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method and electrochemical deposition technology. The Cu2O nanoparticles deposited on WO3 surface enhanced the visible light absorption capacity and improved the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers. The WO3/Cu2O heterostructures significantly enhanced the photocatalytic degradation and photoelectrochemical activity, in which the reaction kinetic constant and photocurrent density of WO3/Cu2O-60 s is nearly 3.3 times and 5 times higher than that of WO3, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performance is mainly due to the formation of pn-junctions at the interface of WO3/Cu2O heterojunction, which improves the collection of visible light and enhances the separation of electron–hole pairs.

Graphical abstract

The WO3/Cu2O heterojunction nanosheet arrays for efficient photocatalytic degradation RhB and photoelectrochemical water splitting. (a) The kinetics of RhB reduction, (b) Schematic representation of PEC water splitting mechanism of WO3/Cu2O photoelectrode.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. I. Roh, S. Yu, C.-K. Lin, S. Louisia, S. Cestellos-Blanco, P. Yang, Photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction toward multicarbon products with silicon nanowire photocathodes interfaced with copper nanoparticles. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 144, 8002 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Y. Li, H. Wang, L. Huang, C. Wang, Q. Wang, F. Zhang, X. Fan, M. Xie, H. Li, Promoting LED light driven photocatalytic inactivation of bacteria by novel β-Bi2O3@BiOBr core/shell photocatalyst. J. Alloys Compd. 816, 152665 (2020)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. W. Lei, X. Pang, G. Ge, G. Liu, Recent progress on black phosphorus quantum dots for full-spectrum solar-to-chemical energy conversion. Nano Today 39, 101183 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. H. Jorschick, P. Preuster, A. Bösmann, P. Wasserscheid, Hydrogenation of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds-a key process for future logistics of green hydrogen using liquid organic hydrogen carrier systems. Sustain. Energy Fuels 5(5), 1311 (2021)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. J.-T. Lee, Y.-C. Chang, M.-Y. Wey, Effect of polystyrene characteristic on photocatalytic hydrogen production by porous polystyrene photocatalyst film under simulated solar light irradiation. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy. 46(21), 11597 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. J.-T. Lee, H.-H. Tseng, M.-Y. Wey, Excellent dispersion of solar light responsive photocatalyst in the different polymer films for easy recycling and sustainable hydrogen production. Sol. Energy. 231, 949 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. M. Dang, G. Tan, M. Wang, B. Zhang, L. Lv, H. Ren, A. Xia, Preparation and photocatalytic enhancement mechanism of g-C3N4/(110) facet BiVO4 heterojunction induced by electrostatic field. Mater. Lett. 285, 129131 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. H. Shuai, J. Wang, X. Wang, G. Du, Black Talc-based TiO2/ZnO composite for enhanced UV-Vis photocatalysis performance. Mater. 14(21), 6474 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. J. Li, C. Guo, L. Li, Y. Gu, B.-H. Kim, J. Huang, Synthesis of vertical WO3 nanoarrays with different morphologies using the same protocol for enhanced photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic performances. RSC Adv. 11(38), 23700 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Q. Lu, Y. Wang, D. Zhang, H. Cong, Solar light-driven photocatalytic production of hypochlorous acid over Pt/WO3 in seawater for marine antifouling. Res. Chem. Intermed. 48(1), 29 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. M. Sun, Y. Zhou, T. Yu, J. Wang, Synthesis of g-C3N4/WO3-carbon microsphere composites for photocatalytic hydrogen production. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 47(18), 10261 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. A. Hassani, S. Krishnan, J. Scaria, P. Eghbali, P. Nidheesh, Z-scheme photocatalysts for visible-light-driven pollutants degradation: A review on recent advancements. Curr. Opin. Solid State Mater. Sci. 25(5), 100941 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. D. Kim, K. Yong, Boron doping induced charge transfer switching of a C3N4/ZnO photocatalyst from Z-scheme to type II to enhance photocatalytic hydrogen production. Appl. Catal. B: Environ. 282, 119538 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. S. Chu, X. Zheng, F. Kong, G. Wu, L. Luo, Y. Guo, H. Liu, Y. Wang, H. Yu, Z. Zou, Architecture of Cu2O@TiO2 core-shell heterojunction and photodegradation for 4-nitrophenol under simulated sunlight irradiation. Mater. Chem. Phys. 129(3), 1184 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. J. Li, C. Guo, L. Li, Y. Gu, K. BoK-Hee, J. Huang, Construction of Z-scheme WO3-Cu2O nanorods array heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue. Inorg. Chem. Commun. 138, 109248 (2022)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. J. Hao, B. Qi, J. Wei, D. Li, F. Zeng, A Z-scheme Cu2O/WO3 heterojunction for production of renewable hydrocarbon fuel from carbon dioxide. Fuel 287, 119439 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. H. Gong, Y. Zhang, Y. Cao, M. Luo, Z. Feng, W. Yang, K. Liu, H. Cao, H. Yan, Pt@Cu2O/WO3 composite photocatalyst for enhanced photocatalytic water oxidation performance. Appl. Catal. B: Environ. 237, 309 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. J. Zhang, H. Ma, Z. Liu, Highly efficient photocatalyst based on all oxides WO3/Cu2O heterojunction for photoelectrochemical water splitting. Appl. Catal. B: Environ. 201, 84 (2017)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. W. Shi, X. Guo, C. Cui, K. Jiang, Z. Li, L. Qu, J.-C. Wang, Controllable synthesis of Cu2O decorated WO3 nanosheets with dominant (001) facets for photocatalytic CO2 reduction under visible-light irradiation. Appl. Catal. B: Environ. 243, 236 (2019)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. I. Mondal, A. Mahata, H. Kim, U. Pal, F. De Angelis, J.Y. Park, A combined experimental and theoretical approach revealing a direct mechanism for bifunctional water splitting on doped copper phosphide. Nanoscale 12(34), 17769 (2020)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. X. Qiao, Z. Ma, D. Luo, A.J. Corkett, A. Slabon, A. Rokicinska, P. Kuśtrowski, R. Dronskowski, Metathetic synthesis of lead cyanamide as a p-type semiconductor. Dalton Trans. 49(40), 14061 (2020)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. J. Zheng, Z. Lei, Incorporation of CoO nanoparticles in 3D marigold flower-like hierarchical architecture MnCo2O4 for highly boosting solar light photo-oxidation and reduction ability. Appl. Catal. B: Environ. 237, 1 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. R. Sun, X. Zhang, C. Wang, Y. Cao, Co-carbonization of red mud and waste sawdust for functional application as Fenton catalyst: Evaluation of catalytic activity and mechanism. J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 9(4), 105368 (2021)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. J. Zhang, P. Zhang, T. Wang, J. Gong, Monoclinic WO3 nanomultilayers with preferentially exposed (002) facets for photoelectrochemical water splitting. Nano Energy 11, 189 (2015)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work has been financially supported by the Provincial and Ministerial Co-construction of Collaborative Innovation Center for Non-ferrous Metal New Materials and Advanced Processing Technology.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471023, China

    Lihua Li, Jingjing Li, Chenpeng Guo, Yongjun Gu, BoK‑Hee Kim & Jinliang Huang

  2. Provincial and Ministerial Co-Construction of Collaborative Innovation Center for Non-Ferrous Metal New Materials and Advanced Processing Technology, Luoyang, 471023, China

    Lihua Li, Yongjun Gu & Jinliang Huang

  3. Division of Advanced Materials Engineering, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research Center, Chonbuk National University, Chonju, 561-756, South Korea

    BoK‑Hee Kim

Authors
  1. Lihua Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jingjing Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chenpeng Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yongjun Gu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. BoK‑Hee Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jinliang Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jinliang Huang.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

There are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 4748 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, L., Li, J., Guo, C. et al. Synthesis of 2D WO3/Cu2O heterojunction nanosheet arrays with enhanced photocatalytic degradation activity and photoelectrochemical performance. Journal of Materials Research 38, 3655–3665 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-023-01085-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-023-01085-8

Search

Navigation