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Review
. 2023 Jul 22;28(14):5576.
doi: 10.3390/molecules28145576.

A Review on Cu2O-Based Composites in Photocatalysis: Synthesis, Modification, and Applications

Qian Su  1 , Cheng Zuo  1 , Meifang Liu  1 , Xishi Tai  1
Affiliations
Review

A Review on Cu2O-Based Composites in Photocatalysis: Synthesis, Modification, and Applications

Qian Su et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Photocatalysis technology has the advantages of being green, clean, and environmentally friendly, and has been widely used in CO2 reduction, hydrolytic hydrogen production, and the degradation of pollutants in water. Cu2O has the advantages of abundant reserves, a low cost, and environmental friendliness. Based on the narrow bandgap and strong visible light absorption ability of Cu2O, Cu2O-based composite materials show infinite development potential in photocatalysis. However, in practical large-scale applications, Cu2O-based composites still pose some urgent problems that need to be solved, such as the high composite rate of photogenerated carriers, and poor photocatalytic activity. This paper introduces a series of Cu2O-based composites, based on recent reports, including pure Cu2O and Cu2O hybrid materials. The modification strategies of photocatalysts, critical physical and chemical parameters of photocatalytic reactions, and the mechanism for the synergistic improvement of photocatalytic performance are investigated and explored. In addition, the application and photocatalytic performance of Cu2O-based photocatalysts in CO2 photoreduction, hydrogen production, and water pollution treatment are discussed and evaluated. Finally, the current challenges and development prospects are pointed out, to provide guidance in applying Cu2O-based catalysts in renewable energy utilization and environmental protection.

Keywords: application; heterojunction; modification; photocatalysis; synthesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The annual number of publications using “Cu2O” as a topic keyword since 2010 (data taken from Web of Science on 1 January 2023).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The research framework and basis of thinking for this review.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic diagram of the procedure for the electrodeposition of p/n Cu2O on the FTO substrate [28].
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic diagram of a Cu2O–CuO film prepared using the magnetron sputtering method [29]. Copyright 2020, Elsevier.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The schematic illustration of the synthesis process of Cu2O nanorod array films [42]. Copyright 2016, Elsevier.
Figure 6
Figure 6
SEM images of (a) pure Cu2O, (b) GO/Cu2O-0.1, (c) GO/Cu2O-0.5, and (d) GO/Cu2O-1, and (e) a TEM image of GO/Cu2O-0.5 [64]. Copyright 2017, Elsevier.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Diagram of the bandgap of copper-oxide-based photocatalysts [71]. Copyright 2022, Elsevier.
Figure 8
Figure 8
TEM images of (a,b) cubic Cu2O and (c,d) edge-truncated cubic Cu2O; simulated images of (e) 3D structure of edge-truncated cubic Cu2O and (f) 2D crystal orientation [74]. Copyright 2022 American Chemical Society.
Figure 9
Figure 9
The p–n heterostructures in the NiFe2O4/Cu2O photocatalyst [94].
Figure 10
Figure 10
(a) Type-Ⅱ and (b) Z-scheme electron transfer mechanism in Cu2O/TiO2 photocatalyst [96]. Copyright 2021, Elsevier.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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