Solar photocatalytic processes are a promising approach to environmental remediation, however their implementation requires improvements in visible light harvesting and conversion and a focus on low cost, Earth abundant materials. Semiconducting copper oxides are promising visible light photocatalysts for solar fuels and wastewater depollution. Here we propose the mild, hydrothermal (template-free) synthesis of core-shell Cu2O(Cu)@CuO photocatalytic architectures for the visible light photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceutical organics as an emerging concern. Hollow and rattle-like core-shell nanosphere aggregates with diameters between 200 nm and 2.5 mm formed under different synthesis conditions; all comprised an inner Cu2O shell, formed of 10-50 nm nanoparticles, surrounded by a protective corona of CuO nanoparticles. High reductant and structure-directing agent concentrations promoted the formation of a yolk-like Cu2O/Cu core, associated with improved photophysical properties, notably a high oxidation potential and suppressed charge carrier recombination, that correlated with the highest apparent quantum efficiency and removal rate. Trapping experiments demonstrated hydroxyl radicals were the primary active species responsible for organics oxidation to quinones and short chain carboxylic acids. Rattle-like core-shell Cu2O/Cu@CuO and hierarchical nanospheres exhibited excellent physiochemical stability and recyclability for APAP photocatalytic degradation.

Template free mild hydrothermal synthesis of core-shell Cu2O(Cu)@CuO visible light photocatalysts for model pharmaceutical organics degradation

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.