Rapid mass production of novel 3D Cu@CuI core‐shell mesh as highly flexible and efficient photocatalyst

Abstract

We report a relatively simple and economical approach for mass production of Cu@CuI mesh. This novel core‐shell structure is CuI‐coated Cu mesh, fabricated by one‐step in situ iodination of commercial copper mesh at an ambient temperature. Such a Cu@CuI mesh is low‐cost and can be successfully used for the degradation of soluble organic pollutants in water under UV light. The novel 3D Cu@CuI core‐shell structure allows for high electron/hole separation and thus leads to high catalytic efficiency. Rhodamine B (RhB) is fully degraded in even just 6 minutes using a Cu@CuI mesh as the photocatalyst. Unlike the currently reported photocatalysts mostly in the form of powders, nanoparticles, and/or nanowires, the 3D Cu@CuI mesh is freestanding and flexible, and therefore is easily separated from water after photocatalysis without causing secondary pollution. This is a significant advance toward tackling the expansive separation issue of the conventional catalysts, because the ultra‐simple separation process of 3D Cu@CuI mesh can facilitate its industry application. With a fantastic combination of low cost, facile and green fabrication, high catalytic efficiency and easy separation 3D architecture, the Cu@CuI mesh may serve as a promising candidate for water purification.

Towards visible light driven photoelectrocatalysis for water treatment: Application of a FTO/BiVO4/Ag2S heterojunction anode for the removal of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants

“…In order to cut down the cost associated with the operation of photoelectrocatalytic degradation process, solar light has been considered as a source of photon energy but this requires that the anodic material be made up of visible light active photocatalyst. In this line, semiconductor photocatalysts such as WO 3 13 , CuI 14 In the large pool of visible light active semiconductors, monoclinic sheelite bismuth vanadate (m-BiVO 4 ) has proven to be a choice material for PEC applications. As an n-type semiconductor, with narrow band gap (2.4 eV), BiVO 4 possesses impressive photocatalytic activity under the application of solar light, it is is non-toxic and has good stability.…”