Copper-Copper Oxide Heterostructural Nanocrystals Anchored on g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> Nanosheets for Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Photo-Fenton-like Catalysis
The development of efficient and sustainable photocatalysts for wastewater treatment remains a critical challenge in environmental remediation. In this study, a ternary photocatalyst, Cu-Cu<sub>2</sub>O/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, was synthesized by embedding co...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Guangying Zhou Fan Yang Ximiao Zhu Weihua Feng Dongdong Chen Jianzhang Fang |
| author_facet | Guangying Zhou Fan Yang Ximiao Zhu Weihua Feng Dongdong Chen Jianzhang Fang |
| author_sort | Guangying Zhou |
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| description | The development of efficient and sustainable photocatalysts for wastewater treatment remains a critical challenge in environmental remediation. In this study, a ternary photocatalyst, Cu-Cu<sub>2</sub>O/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, was synthesized by embedding copper-copper oxide heterostructural nanocrystals onto g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> nanosheets via a simple deposition method. Structural and optical characterization confirmed the successful formation of the heterostructure, which combines the narrow bandgap of Cu<sub>2</sub>O, the high stability of g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of Cu nanoparticles. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated through the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in a photo-Fenton-like reaction system under visible light irradiation. Among the catalysts tested, the 30 wt% Cu-Cu<sub>2</sub>O/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> composite exhibited the highest catalytic efficiency, achieving a reaction rate constant approximately 3 times and 1.5 times higher than those of Cu-Cu<sub>2</sub>O and g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, respectively. Mechanistic studies suggest that the heterostructure facilitates efficient charge separation and promotes the reduction of Cu<sup>2+</sup> to Cu<sup>+</sup>, thereby enhancing ∙OH radical generation. The catalyst also demonstrated excellent stability and reusability across a wide pH range. These findings provide a new strategy for designing highly efficient photocatalysts for organic pollutant degradation, contributing to the advancement of advanced oxidation processes for environmental applications. |
| format | Article |
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| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-697ea783fdf24920a8d4be723d65adef2025-01-10T13:19:01ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-01-0130114410.3390/molecules30010144Copper-Copper Oxide Heterostructural Nanocrystals Anchored on g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> Nanosheets for Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Photo-Fenton-like CatalysisGuangying Zhou0Fan Yang1Ximiao Zhu2Weihua Feng3Dongdong Chen4Jianzhang Fang5School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaThe development of efficient and sustainable photocatalysts for wastewater treatment remains a critical challenge in environmental remediation. In this study, a ternary photocatalyst, Cu-Cu<sub>2</sub>O/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, was synthesized by embedding copper-copper oxide heterostructural nanocrystals onto g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> nanosheets via a simple deposition method. Structural and optical characterization confirmed the successful formation of the heterostructure, which combines the narrow bandgap of Cu<sub>2</sub>O, the high stability of g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of Cu nanoparticles. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated through the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in a photo-Fenton-like reaction system under visible light irradiation. Among the catalysts tested, the 30 wt% Cu-Cu<sub>2</sub>O/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> composite exhibited the highest catalytic efficiency, achieving a reaction rate constant approximately 3 times and 1.5 times higher than those of Cu-Cu<sub>2</sub>O and g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, respectively. Mechanistic studies suggest that the heterostructure facilitates efficient charge separation and promotes the reduction of Cu<sup>2+</sup> to Cu<sup>+</sup>, thereby enhancing ∙OH radical generation. The catalyst also demonstrated excellent stability and reusability across a wide pH range. These findings provide a new strategy for designing highly efficient photocatalysts for organic pollutant degradation, contributing to the advancement of advanced oxidation processes for environmental applications.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/1/144Cu-Cu<sub>2</sub>O/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>photo-Fenton reactionsurface plasmonic effectcoupled photocatalysis |
| spellingShingle | Guangying Zhou Fan Yang Ximiao Zhu Weihua Feng Dongdong Chen Jianzhang Fang Copper-Copper Oxide Heterostructural Nanocrystals Anchored on g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> Nanosheets for Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Photo-Fenton-like Catalysis Molecules Cu-Cu<sub>2</sub>O/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> photo-Fenton reaction surface plasmonic effect coupled photocatalysis |
| title | Copper-Copper Oxide Heterostructural Nanocrystals Anchored on g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> Nanosheets for Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Photo-Fenton-like Catalysis |
| title_full | Copper-Copper Oxide Heterostructural Nanocrystals Anchored on g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> Nanosheets for Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Photo-Fenton-like Catalysis |
| title_fullStr | Copper-Copper Oxide Heterostructural Nanocrystals Anchored on g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> Nanosheets for Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Photo-Fenton-like Catalysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Copper-Copper Oxide Heterostructural Nanocrystals Anchored on g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> Nanosheets for Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Photo-Fenton-like Catalysis |
| title_short | Copper-Copper Oxide Heterostructural Nanocrystals Anchored on g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> Nanosheets for Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Photo-Fenton-like Catalysis |
| title_sort | copper copper oxide heterostructural nanocrystals anchored on g c sub 3 sub n sub 4 sub nanosheets for efficient visible light driven photo fenton like catalysis |
| topic | Cu-Cu<sub>2</sub>O/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> photo-Fenton reaction surface plasmonic effect coupled photocatalysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/1/144 |
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