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Facile Synthesis of Ag-Coated Cu2O Nanospheres for Improved Photocatalytic Activity

MRS Online Proceedings Library volume 1641, Article number: 331 (2013) Cite this article

Abstract

The present study details facile synthesis of hollow Cu2O nanospheres decorated with Ag nanoparticles using a simple surfactant technique for enhanced photocatalytic activity. The morphology and structure is studied via XRD and SEM. Cu2O hollow nanospheres with a diameter of 500-800 nm were synthesized via Ostwald ripening using CuSO4 aqueous solution. The catalytic activity of Cu2O is studied in the presence of UV and visible light using Methyl Orange (MO) as a model pollutant. Ag decorated Cu2O particles showed a 49% increase in photocatalytic activity over the undecorated Cu2O. The improved photocatalytic activity is achieved by surface plasmon resonance effects in the silver nanoparticles, allowing utilization of the lower energy portion of the solar spectrum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, The University of Memphis, 38152, Memphis, TN, U.S.A.

    Drew Hall & Sanjay Mishra

  2. Department of Physics, Astronomy and Materials Science, Missouri State University, 65897, Springfield, MO, USA

    Anagh Bhaumik & Kartik Dr. Ghosh

Authors
  1. Drew Hall
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  2. Sanjay Mishra
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  3. Anagh Bhaumik
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  4. Kartik Dr. Ghosh
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Hall, D., Mishra, S., Bhaumik, A. et al. Facile Synthesis of Ag-Coated Cu2O Nanospheres for Improved Photocatalytic Activity. MRS Online Proceedings Library 1641, 331 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1557/opl.2014.342

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/opl.2014.342