Facet-Specific Photocatalytic Activity Enhancement of Cu₂O Polyhedra Functionalized with 4-Ethynylanaline Resulting from Band Structure Tuning.

ABSTRACT: Cu₂O rhombic dodecahedra, octahedra, and cubes were densely modified with conjugated 4-ethynylaniline (4-EA) for facet-dependent photocatalytic activity examination. Infrared spectroscopy affirms bonding of the acetylenic group of 4-EA onto the surface copper atoms. The photocatalytically inactive Cu₂O cubes showed surprisingly high activity toward methyl orange photodegradation after 4-EA modification, while the already active Cu₂O rhombic dodecahedra and octahedra exhibited a photocatalytic activity enhancement. Electron, hole, and radical scavenger experiments prove that the photocatalytic charge transport processes have occurred in the functionalized Cu₂O cubes. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy also indicates reduced charge transfer res

SUBMITTER: Chen TN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7318064 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature