A layer by layer strategy for the TiO2/CuxO/CeO2 hierarchical structure supported on carbon cloth as a photocarrier-assisted photothermal catalyst with fast visible light response

Abstract

Photocarrier-assisted photothermal (PT) catalysts have attracted extensive attention due to their catalytic activities driven by solar energy. Herein, a layer by layer deposition strategy has been successfully employed to prepare a carbon cloth (CC) supported TiO₂/Cu_xO/CeO₂ hierarchical structure (CC/TiO₂/Cu_xO/CeO₂). In this structure, the tightly coated TiO₂ nanosheets on CC ensured the uniform electrodeposition of Cu₂O particles, and the as-formed TiO₂/Cu₂O pn-heterojunction could further accelerate the separation and transfer of photocarriers. Consequently, CC/TiO₂/Cu_xO/CeO₂ exhibits a fast visible light response, and could be heated and cooled in a very short time by virtue of the complementary PT effects between CC and Cu_xO/CeO₂. Moreover, the Cu_xO/CeO₂ interface that favors activating O₂ and adsorbing CO molecules has shown enhanced photocatalytic activity towards CO oxidation.