Photo-assisted synthesis of rosalike CuSe hierarchical nanostructures on TiO2 nanotubes with remarkable photocatalytic performance

Highly crystalline CuSe hierarchical nanostructures made of nanosheets have been successfully synthesized on the surface of TiO2 nanotube arrays (NTs) pre-loaded with Cu2O nanowires using a photo-assisted chemical bath deposition. The pre-synthesized Cu2O nanowires served as copper precursor and nucleation centers for the crystal growth, resulting in the rapid formation of CuSe crystals at low temperature. This novel material held the advantages of both p–n junction and hierarchical nanostructures which provided high specific surface areas, thus facilitating the transfer of the electrons and inhibiting the recombination of the photogenerated hole-electron pairs, which were demonstrated by photoelectrochemistry measurements. Meanwhile, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) showed the modified TiO2 significantly enhanced the absorption in the visible light region. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were employed to demonstrate that the resulting CuSe was single crystalline. A possible mechanism was proposed to explain the formation of rosalike architecture CuSe at low temperature. In addition, this novel material exhibited remarkable photocatalytic performance on the degradation of anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (ACA).

Rosalike CuSe hierarchical nanostructures modified TiO2 NTs were firstly synthesized by a facile photo-assisted chemical bath deposition method. The p-type CuSe with the average diameter of 2–4 μm were well well-proportionedly grown on the top surface of n-type TiO2 NTs, forming the p–n heterojunction. And the morphology of an individual CuSe looks like a beautiful flower of rosa in nature. The rosalike hierarchical nanostructures with high surface area will facilitate the adsorption and photocatalysis of reactants. Thus, the resulting hybrid materials exhibit improved photocatalytic activities in degrading anthracene-9-carboxylic acid compared with the unmodified TiO2 nanotubes under simulated solar light.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► CuSe hierarchical nanostructures were grown on TiO2 nanotubes using photo-assisted chemical bath deposition.
► The fabrication technique of CuSe operated at room temperature and room pressure.
► The hierarchical nanostructures with high surface area facilitated the adsorption and photocatalysis of reactants.
► The hybrid materials exhibited improved photocatalytic activities compared with the unmodified TiO2 nanotubes.
► A possible mechanism was proposed to explain the formation of rosalike architecture CuSe at low temperature.