Preparation and characterization of Cu2O/TiO2 nano–nano heterostructure photocatalysts

Cu2O/TiO2 nano–nano heterostructures with different concentrations of Cu2O were prepared by an alcohol-aqueous based chemical precipitation method, and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and UV–vis diffuse reflection absorption spectra. The photocatalytic efficiency of the Cu2O/TiO2 heterostructures was evaluated by degradation of Acid Orange II in water under UV–vis light and visible light irradiation. The results show that the heterostructures have dramatically improved photocatalytic activity comparing with pure TiO2 (P25). The prepared Cu2O/TiO2 heterostructures with the Cu2O concentrations of 30% and 70% have the best photocatalytic efficiencies, which are 6 times and 27 times higher than that of pure TiO2 (P25) under UV–vis light and visible light irradiation, respectively.