Facile synthesis of hierarchical Cu2O nanocubes as visible light photocatalysts

Hierarchically structured Cu2O nanocubes have been synthesized by a facile and cost-effective one-pot, solution phase process. Self-assembly of 5 nm Cu2O nanocrystallites induced through reduction by glucose affords a mesoporous 375 nm cubic architecture with superior visible light photocatalytic performance in both methylene blue dye degradation and hydrogen production from water than conventional non-porous analogues. Hierarchical nanocubes offer improved accessible surface active sites and optical/electronic properties, which act in concert to confer 200–300% rate-enhancements for the photocatalytic decomposition of organic pollutants and solar fuels.

Hierarchical ZnO “rod like” architecture synthesized via reverse micellar route for improved photocatalytic activity

Hierarchical ZnO “rod like” architecture was successfully synthesized via reverse micellar route and characterized by various techniques. The FESEM studies show controlled decomposition of zinc oxalate into ZnO “rod like” architecture at 500 °C with slow heat rate at 1°/min. Interestingly, improved photocatalytic activity was observed for the degradation of Rhodamine B, due to the self assembly of hexagonal nanoparticles of zinc oxide forming hierarchical ZnO “rod like” architecture which can greatly enhance the light utilization rate due to its special architecture and enlarge the specific surface area, providing more reaction sites and promoting mass transfer. More importantly, the reusability studies of this architecture were most economical.