Electrodeposition and Photocatalytic Performance of Self-Assembled Tulip Flower/Mulberry-Like CuO Nanostructures

摘要： Copper oxide as a p-type semiconductor has been widely used in the field of catalysis. Monoclinic CuO nanostructures with various shapes have been synthesized on indium tin oxide-coated glass substrates via electrodeposition with annealing at 400°C for 2 h, and the influence of different electrodeposition parameters on their properties investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the phase structure and surface morphology, respectively, of the synthesized CuO films, and ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry was used to study their optical absorption. Moreover, we measured their photocatalytic properties using photodegradation tests under light irradiation with methylene blue as a simulated organic pollutant. The results showed that the light absorbance of the CuO nanostructure was improved in the visible region. The photodegradation rate for methylene blue reached 93% in 210 min. The prepared nanomaterials are promising for use as good photocatalysis in the field of environmental treatment.