Journal of Guangdong University of Technology ›› 2020, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (04): 84-90.doi: 10.12052/gdutxb.190138

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A Study of the Modification of Nano-CuO Photocatalyst by Ethanol Quenching

Hu Lu-guo1, Hu Zheng-fa1,2, Xiao Yang1, Wang Yin-hai1, Zhao Hui1   

  1. 1. School of Physics & Optoelectronic Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China;
    2. Synergy Innovation Institute for Modern Industries of GDUT, Heyuan 517000, China
  • Received:2019-11-11 Online:2020-07-11 Published:2020-07-02

Abstract: A facile method is developed to modify the surface of nano-CuO by absolute ethanol quenching was developed, which results in enhancing the photocatalytic performance. The nano-CuO is heated to a high temperature (800 ℃) and immediately quenched by submersion in absolute ethanol. The photocatalytic decomposition of rhodamine B demonstrates that, under ultraviolet light irradiation, a better photocatalytic performance is achieved with our modified CuO. The characterization of the samples indicates that by absolute ethanol quenching, the interaction between hot CuO and absolute ethanol leads to the introduction of a high concentration of oxygen vacancies on the surface of the Nano-CuO. The CuO-Cu2O heterojunctions and Cu-CuO/Cu2O Schottky heterojunctions may be formed as well because of the Cu2O and Cu reduced by absolute ethanol. This further illustrates that the ethanol quenching method can effectively modify the surface of metal oxides, increase surface oxygen vacancies on the oxides, even form heterojunctions, and improve the photocatalytic performance of the materials.

Key words: oxygen vacancies, CuO, photocatalysis, ethanol quenching

CLC Number: 

  • O643.36
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