Fabrication of Cu2O/TiO2 nano-tube arrays photoelectrode and its enhanced photoelectrocatalytic performance for degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol

Cu2O decorated TiO2 nano-tube arrays (Cu2O/TiO2 NTAs) photoelectrode was fabricated through electrodeposition strategy. Meanwhile, physicochemical properties of the resulting photoelectrode were systematically studied by series of measurements. Results indicated that Cu2O/TiO2 NTAs photoelectrode performed a significantly enhanced light absorbance in the visible region between 400 and 800 nm, transient photocurrent density of 0.162 mA Cm-2, photogenerated charge separation efficiency and 99.9% of photoelectrocatalytic efficiency for decomposition of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol within 120 min Xenon illumination with the help of +1.0 V (vs. SCE) potential. Furthermore, the enhanced visible light responsible photoelectrocatalytic mechanism was proposed and discussed. (c) 2017 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.