Electrodeposition preparation of octahedral-Cu2O-loaded TiO2 nanotube arrays for visible light-driven photocatalysis

Octahedral-Cu2O-particle-loaded TiO2 nanotube (TNT) arrays were prepared by anode oxidation and subsequent cathodic deposition, and used as photocatalyst to degrade Acid Orange II under the irradiation of visible light. The results demonstrate that the photocatalytic activity of the TNT was significantly enhanced by the incorporation of octahedral Cu2O. Furthermore, exposure of a large area of {111} facets of octahedral Cu2O into TNT arrays augments the adsorption property and photocatalytic activity of TNT. (C) 2010 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.