Fabrication, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of Copper Oxide Nanowires Formed by Anodization of Copper Foams

In recent paper anodization of copper foams in 0.1 M K₂CO₃ is reported. Anodization was performed in the voltage range of 5-25 V and in all the cases oxides with a developed surface area were obtained. However, anodizing only at 20 and 25 V resulted in the formation of nanostruc-tures. In all the cases, the products of anodizing consisted of crystalline phases like cuprite (Cu₂O), tenorite (CuO), parameconite (Cu₄O₃) as well as spertiniite (Cu(OH)₂). Copper foams after ano-dizing were applied as catalysts in the photocatalytic decolorization of a model organic compound such as methylene blue. The highest photocatalytic activity was observed for samples anodized at 25 V and closely followed by samples anodized at 5 V. The anodized copper foams proved to be a useful material in enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency of organic dye decomposition.