CuxO thin films via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis as efficient solar photocatalysts: Single source polymeric coordinated precursor

The preparation of CuxO (CuO, CuO/Cu2O, and Cu2O) thin films via spray pyrolysis techniques was reported and the operational parameters were fully investigated in terms of spray time, precursor concentration and nozzle-to substrate distance. However, the preparation of CuxO thin films via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis using single coordinated organic source was never investigated. Therefore herein, polymeric coordinated Cu (II) phthalate ([Cu(ph)(H2O)])(n) was prepared and utilized as a single precursor for CuxO thin films preparation. The prepared precursor and thin films were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis (CHN), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), X-Ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). By varying the deposition temperature, CuO, CuO/Cu2O, and Cu2O thin films were successfully obtained. The photocatalytic efficiency of the prepared CuxO thin films were assessed toward Methylene blue, MB, dye photodegradation under solar irradiation (Degradation efficiency = 90%). By coupling Cu2O and CuO thin films, a heterostructured photo catalyst of CuO/Cu2O thin film with a low-rate of recombination and an improved charge assembly was achieved and resulted in an enhanced photocatalytic activity.

Automated summary

In this study, CuxO thin films were successfully prepared using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis with a single coordinated organic source as the precursor. Various operational parameters were investigated, and the precursor and thin films were characterized using multiple techniques. By optimizing the deposition temperature, different compositions of CuxO thin films were obtained, and a heterostructured photocatalyst of CuO/Cu2O thin film exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity with low recombination rates and improved charge assembly.