Photocatalytic efficiency under visible light of a novel Cu–Fe oxide composite films prepared by one-step sparking process

Abstract

Copper–iron (Cu–Fe) oxide composite films were successfully deposited on quartz substrate by a facile sparking process. The nanoparticles were deposited on the substrate after sparking off the Fe and Cu tips with different ratios and were then annealed at different temperatures. The network particles were observed after annealing the film at 700 °C. Meanwhile, XRD, XPS and SAED patterns of the annealed films at 700 °C consisted of a mixed phase of CuO, γ-Fe2O3, CuFe2O4 and CuFe2O. The film with the lowest energy band gap (Eg) of 2.56 eV was observed after annealing at 700 °C. Interestingly, the optimum ratio and annealing temperature show the photocatalytic activity under visible light higher than 20% and 30% compare with the annealed TiO2 at 500 and 700 °C, respectively. This is a novel photocatalyst which can be replaced TiO2 for photocatalytic applications in the future.

Electrochemical synthesis of Cu-Fe/brass foil alloy and its oxides under the combustion process as a promising photoelectrode for efficient hydrogen evolution in alkaline solutions

“…Figure 5(f) clearly showed that the peaks centered at 1022.32 and 1045.40 eV can be attributed to Zn 2p 3/2 and Zn 2p 1/2 species. Figure 5(e) clearly showed that the peak observed at about 932.74, 952.48eV relates to metallic Cu 2p 3/2 , Cu 2p 1/2 in the alloy [25]. The peaks sited at 712.5 eV in the Fe 2p spectra can be assigned to Fe 3+ and peaks clearly showed at Fig.…”

“…The high-resolution XPS spectra of O 1s were observed at 531.7, 532.45 and 533.3ev After tting with Gaussian-Lorentzian functions, three peaks are discovered in the spectrum; one of them is O 1s peaks at 531.7, corresponding to O 1s in Fe 2 O 3 and absorbed oxygen species [25]. The peaks located at 532.45 and 533.3 eV were related to the oxidized state of Fe (III) [25] respectively. In addition, it is determined that the peak at 532.45 eV re ects H 2 O absorbed in the Fe 2 O 3 nano-boxes and this matched with M. C. Biesinger paper [25].…”

“…The peaks located at 532.45 and 533.3 eV were related to the oxidized state of Fe (III) [25] respectively. In addition, it is determined that the peak at 532.45 eV re ects H 2 O absorbed in the Fe 2 O 3 nano-boxes and this matched with M. C. Biesinger paper [25]. All the features prove that the sample contains Fe, Cu and Zn.…”

Photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline antibiotic and organic dyes using biogenic synthesized CuO/Fe2O3 nanocomposite: pathways and mechanism insights

“…Fresh leaves (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) from a healthy guava tree were taken and washed thoroughly with DI water. These leaves were cut into small pieces and put into a beaker containing 300 mL DI water.…”

“…CuO/Fe 2 O 3 nanocomposite have been synthesized by a few research groups and explored for various applications like oxidation of n-hexane, oxidation of carbon monoxide, degradation of organic pollutants [17][18][19][20].…”