Improved propane photooxidation activities upon nano Cu2O/TiO2 heterojunction semiconductors at room temperature

Abstract

Nano Cu₂O/TiO₂ heterojunctions with different weight percentage of Cu₂O were fabricated by a facile impregnating method for propane oxidation at room temperature. The results indicate that the as-formed Cu₂O/TiO₂ heterojunctions can remarkably improve the propane photooxidation activity. Especially, for the 0.1 wt% Cu₂O decorated TiO₂ junctions, the activity was triple of that of the commercial P25. Moreover, the stability of Cu₂O was significantly improved during the HC photooxidation. A direct Z scheme electrons and holes transfer mode was suggested to account for the improved activity as well as stability of the junctions. This study may provide a new way to improve photocatalytic activities by utilizing cheap and less stable materials.