Effect of impurity in Cu2O nanowires on the degradation of methyl orange

Effect of the impurity in Cu2O nanowire on the degradation of methyl orange under light irradiation in dark circumstances was investigated. Here, we present the fabrication of Cu2O nanowires at different temperatures (110, 130, 150, 170, and 190 degrees C) by a facile hydrothermal route. Meanwhile, at the synthesis temperature of 110-150 degrees C, the major impurity in Cu2O nanowires was Cu4O3, and a new Cu impurity was introduced in the Cu2O nanowires as the synthesis temperature increased from 170 to 190 degrees C. Overall, as the synthesis temperature increases from 110 to 190 degrees C, the total impurity decreases in Cu2O nanowires. The fast degradation rate in dark circumstances has been achieved in Cu2O nanowires for all synthesis temperatures, which can be attributed to the Cu2+ in the Cu4O3 impurity of Cu2O nanowires. This result shows that the Cu2O nanowires obtained at the synthesis temperature of 150 degrees C have the fastest degradation rate for both under light irradiation and in dark circumstances. It has been found that under light irradiation, the Cu impurity in Cu2O nanowires plays a vital role in the degradation of methyl orange. In the current scenario, different impurity contents influence the catalyst activity of Cu2O nanowires under the visible light or dark, respectively.