Amorphous SiO₂ nanofiber@CuO quantum dots with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO₂) fibers (ASF) loaded with well-dispersed copper (II) oxide (CuO) quantum dots were prepared through a hydrothermal process using copper hydroxide as the precursor. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen gas (N₂) adsorption–desorption isotherm measurements and ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectroscopy. It was found that the surface of the fibers was decorated with well-dispersed copper (II) oxide quantum dots with 5 nm average size. The composites, with a high specific surface area of 78·52 m²/g, showed fierce light absorption within the UV band and low light absorption within the 400–600 nm and exhibited higher photocatalytic activities compared with pure copper (II) oxide for the photodegradation of potassium ethyl xanthate (KEX) under incandescent light. A decrease in agglomeration and an increase in the specific surface area of copper (II) oxide particles may have contributed to the results. The combination of copper (II) oxide quantum dots and ASFs can result in a remarkable improvement in photocatalytic activity and may provide a useful method for the degradation of KEX.