Study On Preparation And Photocatalytic Activity Of Cu₂O/TiO₂ Film On Aluminum

In this paper, the Cu₂O/TiO₂ heterojunction thin film was prepared on porous alumina by cathodic electrodeposition, which consists of n-type semiconductor TiO₂ and p-type semiconductor Cu₂O. Using phenol degradation as the model reaction, the preparation conditions of the composite catalyst and its sunlight photocatalytic activity, photoelectrocatalytic activity were researched. As well as factors were discussed. The deposition mechanism of Cu₂O, kinetics of photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis process of the composite catalyst were also studied. Its microstructure and properties were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), EDS spectra, UV-visible absorption spectrum, and impedance spectroscopy, et al. The results showed that its catalytic activity and absorbing spectrum range were apparently higher than those of TiO₂, and the catalytic performance was much higher at electrochemical-assisted conditions. The activation energy of photoelectrocatalysis process (11.64kJ/mol) was smaller than that of photocatalysis process (16.17kJ/mol). And the photoelectrocatalysis process happened easier.