CuxO thin films via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis as efficient solar photocatalysts: Single source polymeric coordinated precursor

The preparation of CuxO (CuO, CuO/Cu2O, and Cu2O) thin films via spray pyrolysis techniques was reported and the operational parameters were fully investigated in terms of spray time, precursor concentration and nozzle-to-substrate distance. However, the preparation of CuxO thin films via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis using single coordinated organic source was never investigated. Therefore herein, polymeric coordinated Cu (II) phthalate ([Cu(ph)(H2O)])n was prepared and utilized as a single precursor for CuxO thin films preparation. The prepared precursor and thin films were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis (CHN), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), X-Ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). By varying the deposition temperature, CuO, CuO/Cu2O, and Cu2O thin films were successfully obtained. The photocatalytic efficiency of the prepared CuxO thin films were assessed toward Methylene blue, MB, dye photodegradation under solar irradiation (Degradation efficiency = 90%). By coupling Cu2O and CuO thin films, a heterostructured photocatalyst of CuO/Cu2O thin film with a low-rate of recombination and an improved charge assembly was achieved and resulted in an enhanced photocatalytic activity.