Preparation and Photocatalytic Performance of Cu2O/CNTs Composites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were treated with the mixed acid (V-H2SO4/V-HNO3=3:1). Cu2O/CNTs spherical composites were synthesized by one-step solvothermal method, using ethylene glycol as reductant and acid-treated CNTs as the carrier. Cu2O/CNTs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy spectrum analysis (EDS), N-2 adsorption-desorption, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectrometer (DRS) and organic total carbon (TOC). The influence of CNTs on the crystal structure, morphology, surface area, pore size and optical characteristics of Cu2O/CNTs composites was investigated. The relationship between CNTs and photocatalytic performance of Cu2O/CNTs in combination with photocatalytic mechanism was analyzed. The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of Cu2O/CNTs was the best when the content of CNTs was 0.2 g, and the degradation rate of methyl orange reached 92.1% after degradation for 60 min.