Innovative syntheses of immobilized Cu x O semiconductors grown on 3D prints and their photoelectrochemical activity for sulfamethoxazole degradation

Traditional copper oxide manufacturing processes require high energy consumption, high synthesis temperatures, and long process times. This study proposes an innovative additive manufacturing process to support immobilized copper oxide, offering greater design flexibility and customization. Cu x O semiconductors were synthesized on 3D -printed substrates via the anodization process and evaluated for their effectiveness in degrading sulfamethoxazole (SMX). XRD analysis of the samples revealed the presence of both CuO and Cu 2 O crystalline phases, this mixture of oxides helps to expand the absorption range of visible light. The immobilized CuxO semiconductors exhibited band gaps ranging between 1.6 and 1.8 eV. Negative current densities and MottSchottky analysis confirmed the nature of the p -type semiconductor. Semiconductors grown by 3D printing demonstrated remarkable degradation capacity for the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX), achieving 60% degradation after 360 minutes under visible light. Kinetic degradation tends to be a first -order and zero -order model. TOC analysis further revealed the formation of reaction intermediates during SMX degradation, ultimately leading to the mineralization of the contaminant. Based on these results, we report, for the first time Cu x O semiconductors grown on large 3D -printed substrates as promising photocatalysts for the degradation of emerging water pollutants. Based on these results, we report, for the first time, that CuxO semiconductors grown on large 3D -printed substrates are promising photocatalysts for the degradation of emerging water contaminants. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the proposed method is faster and does not require subsequent thermal treatments for its functionalization, making it attractive for various industrial applications.