Synthesis and Photocatalytic Properties of Cu_2O Microcubes and Nanospheres

Cu2O microcubes and nanospheres were prepared by solution-phase reducing method and hydrothermal treatment,respectively.The products were characterized via X-ray diffraction(XRD) and field emitted scanning electron microscopy(FESEM).The photocatalytic activities of as-synthesized Cu2O microcubes and nanospheres toward methyl orange were studied.The decoloration rates of methyl orange in assynthesized Cu2O microcubes and nanospheres system was 77.4% and 89.0%,respectively.In the Cu2 O/Fenton composite system,the decoloration rate of methyl orange could reach 98.2%.In addition,a proposed photocatalytic degradation mechanism of Cu2O for methyl orange was provided.