title: Cu2O loaded titanate nanotube arrays for simultaneously photoelectrochemical ibuprofen oxidation and hydrogen generation.
abstract: A p-n junction Cu2O doped TiO2 nanotube arrays (Cu2O/TNAs) were synthesized by square wave voltammetry electrochemical (SWVE) deposition method and employed as the working anode. The crystalline, optical properties, surface morphology, and structure of the Cu2O/TNAs were characterized by XRD, UV-vis absorbance edges, SEM, and XPS. Results showed that the Cu2O/TNAs were dominated by anatase phase after sintering at 450 °C with significant visible light response. XPS finding confirmed XRD results that the copper element in Cu2O/TNAs was Cu (I) instead of Cu (II). SEM images illustrated the diameter and the length of supported TiO2 nanotubes was approximately 100 nm and 2.75-4.34 μm, respectively. After Cu2O doping, the nano-tubular structure of TiO2 nanotube kept its integrity with no significant morphological change, which was beneficial for PEC applications. The photocurrent of Cu2O/TNAs was 1.45 times larger than that of TNAs, implying that Cu2O doping significantly enhanced electron mobility by reducing the recombination of electron-hole pairs. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements revealed that the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs was inhibited as the bias potential was applied. Results of Bode plot further demonstrated that the electron lifetime τel of Cu2O/TNAs-20 (30.79 ms), under 0.5 V bias potential, was about 2.23 times higher than that of pure TNAs (13.82 ms). Results of electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses demonstrate that the hydroxyl radicals (OH) are responsible for the PEC decomposition of Ibuprofen.
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China; Research Centre for Environmental Health and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Ken-Lin
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qiannan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: yppeng@thu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Yen-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shiau-Wu
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Menghau
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chi-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsion-Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yi-Ching
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D058266:Dielectric Spectroscopy; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004566:Electrodes; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010777:Photochemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: C009495:titanium dioxide; D003300:Copper; D006859:Hydrogen; D014025:Titanium; C000520:cuprous oxide; D007052:Ibuprofen
keywords: Cu(2)O/TNAs; Hydrogen evolution; Ibuprofen; Photoelectrochemical