A P/N type compounded Cu2O/TiO2 photo-catalytic membrane for organic pollutant degradation

A heterojunction thin film consisting of n-type titanium dioxide (TiO2) and p-type cuprous oxide (Cu2O) was fabricated on an FTO conducting glass. The TiO2 films were grown on the FTO glass by sol-gel and spray pyrolysis methods, and Cu2O was deposited on it via the hydrothermal method. The morphology, crystalline structure, and optical absorption characteristics were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectrum, respectively. The results show that the surface of the Cu2O/TiO2 film was composed of net and large grains, which contributed to a large specific surface area. The crystal phase of the TiO2 in the Cu2O/TiO2 film remained anatase. The crystal phase of the Cu2O could not be detected as it is found in traces. The Cu2O/TiO2 film had a stronger optical absorption ability than the pure TiO2 film. To investigate catalytic activity, a photocatalytic degradation experiment of the Cu2O/TiO2 film was performed in a homemade thin-layer micro-reactor. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue increased with increasing amounts of deposited Cu2O until a maximum limit was reached. The photocatalytic activity might have declined with an increase in Cu2O content. The metallic oxide has the potential to screen other photocatalysts from the UV source.