The deposition of Cu2O and Cu by photochemical reduction method promotes the efficient degradation of organic pollutants by Sn-TiO2 under visible light

The cuprous oxide/copper/titanium tin solid solution(Cu2O/Cu/T60S1) composite photocatalyst was synthesized by first preparing Sn-doped titanium dioxide by sol-hydrothermal method, and then depositing Cu2O and Cu on its surface by photochemical reduction method. The crystal structure and properties of the synthesized photocatalysts were investigated by various characterization techniques. The activity of the photocatalyst was evaluated by degrading the mixed pesticides (Pirimicarb and Fenitrothion) and tetracycline hydrochloride(TC-HCl) under simulated natural light. The results showed that Cu2O and Cu were successfully deposited on the surface of T60S1, the introduction of Cu2O and Cu significantly improved the photocatalytic activity of T60S1 in the degradation of TC-HCl and organic pesticides under visible light. The degradation rate of TC-HCl of sample 3Cu2O/Cu/T60S1 was as high as 98.2% within 60 min, the degradation rate of mixed pesticides reached more than 95% within 180 min. Combined with density functional theory(DFT) calculations, discussed the photocatalytic degradation mechanism of 3Cu2O/Cu/T60S1.