CuO/Cu2O nanowire arrays grafted by reduced graphene oxide: synthesis, characterization, and application in photocatalytic reduction of CO2

CuO/Cu2O nanowire arrays (NWAs) were prepared on a Cu foil substrate through a simple thermal process. The NWAs were then grafted with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets via self-assembly. The combination of various characterization techniques including SEM, TEM, XRD, and XPS revealed the unique integration between CuO/Cu2O NWAs and umbrella-like rGO nanosheets. The CuO/Cu2O NWAs@rGO sample was found to be more active than bare CuO/Cu2O NWAs for the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 under simulated solar light. The improved photocatalytic activity was attributed to the slow recombination of charge carriers and the efficient transfer of photo-generated electrons through rGO nanosheets.