Facile synthesis of hemerocallis leaf-like Cu2O@foam copper for photo-degradation of tetracycline

Abstract

Hemerocallis leaf-like Cu₂O@foam copper with uniform radial shape was synthesized via surfactant-assisted CuCl reduction. XRD and SEM confirmed it has an ordered thin leaf-like structure, average length 3 μm, width 50–100 nm. Tetracycline photocatalytic degradation tests showed it reaches 99% degradation in 480 min under visible light. Its pseudo-first-order rate constant (K = 0.0085 min⁻¹) is 3 higher than Cu₂O powder (K = 0.0028 min⁻¹). After 4 cycles, degradation rate stays over 80%. Active species trapping experiments confirm ·OH and h⁺ are key for its photodegradation. Hemerocallis leaf-like Cu₂O forms via long-range ordered rod-like micelles from CTAB and phosphate radicals. This work shows carrier engineering and morphology control are critical for boosting photocatalytic performance.