Synthesis of CuO(x)/TiO(2) Photocatalysts with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance

[Image: see text] CuO(x)/TiO(2) co-photocatalysts with various Cu loading contents were synthesized by an impregnation method, and their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by photodegradation of organic pollutants under visible light illumination. The as-prepared CuO(x)/TiO(2) composites exhibited a unique structure, in which CuO(x) clusters with about 2–3 nm nanocrystals were uniformly distributed on the TiO(2) cube. The mesoporous Ti(3+)/TiO(2) substrate with a uniform pore structure greatly improved the uniformity of the loaded Cu, wherein Ti(3+) acted as a reducing agent for reducing Cu(2+) to Cu(+) and Cu(0). The reversible process of the Cu species between Cu(+) and Cu(0) markedly enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the CuO(x)/TiO(2) co-photocatalyst, by promoting the transfer of photogenerated electrons and suppressing the recombination of photogenerated electron and hole pairs. The synergistic effect between CuO(x) and TiO(2) also played an important role in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of the CuO(x)/TiO(2) co-photocatalyst. The results indicated that CuO(x)/TiO(2)-1 had the highest photocatalytic efficiency, which was 1.5 times higher than that of the commercial nano-TiO(2) P25 under visible light, and demonstrated a good stability even after five recycles. This structural design and the valence control strategy for the Cu atom provide an idea that facilitates the utilization of visible light and the improvement of the photocatalytic activity of TiO(2), promoting the practical application of the TiO(2) photocatalyst.