Controllable synthesis and photocatalytic property of uniform CuO/Cu2O composite hollow microspheres

An ethanolamine-assisted route has been designed for one-step synthesis of uniform CuO/Cu2O composite hollow microspheres with controllable composition in an aqueous solution system. The influences of reaction time and temperature on the morphologies and composition of the resulting products were investigated. The content of Cu2O in the composite hollow microspheres ranged from 10 to 84 wt % could be controlled by changing the reaction time and temperature. The formation process for such CuO/Cu2O composite hollow microspheres was studied. The mesoporous CuO/Cu2O composite hollow microspheres exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity for degradation of Rhodamine B under UV-light illumination than the single phase CuO samples.

CuO/Cu2O composite hollow microspheres with controllable composition have been prepared through a hydrothermal method. The mesoporous CuO/Cu2O composite hollow microspheres exhibited a high photocatalytic activity for degradation of RhB under UV-light illumination.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Uniform CuO/Cu2O composite hollow microspheres were prepared by hydrothermal method.
► Ethanolamine was firstly used as both precipitating agent and reductant.
► The content of Cu2O in composition could be changed by reaction time and temperature.
► CuO/Cu2O hollow materials exhibit a high photocatalytic activity upon UV irradiation.