Stable and efficient planar Cu/Cu2O film catalysts

Abstract

Planar metal-based thin films can be directly prepared on an indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate through the electrochemical reduction of copper ions in solution. These Cu/Cu₂O film catalysts exhibit efficient degradation behavior for converting p-nitrophenol (p-NP) to p-aminophenol (p-AP) in only several minutes. The catalytic activity can be further improved through Ni atom insertion to form an alloying compound (CuNi). The convenient fabrication technology with low cost, as well as the possibility for reuse by simple recycling, renders it a superior planar catalytic material with excellent stability.