Photocatalytic activity enhancement of Cu2O cubes functionalized with 2-ethynyl-6- methoxynaphthalene through band structure modulation
Journal
Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Journal Volume
10
Journal Issue
10
Start Page
3980
End Page
3989
ISSN
20507534
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Patra, Anindya Sundar
Kao, Jui-Cheng
Chan, Shang-Ju
Chou, Po-Jung
Lo, Yu-Chieh
Huang, Michael H.
Abstract
Since the exciting discovery that binding of 4-ethynylaniline on inert Cu2O cubes makes the functionalized cubes highly photocatalytically active toward methyl orange (MO) degradation, binding of 2-ethynyl-6-methoxynaphthalene (2E-6MN) molecules was found to produce a similar effect to activate Cu2O cubes. A moderate activity enhancement was observed for the functionalized Cu2O rhombic dodecahedra, while the activity of octahedra only improves slightly. Thus, the degree of photocatalytic activity enhancement is highly facet-dependent. Electron, hole, and radical scavenger tests confirm the photocatalysis results. Electrochemical impedance measurements also show a reduced charge transfer resistance after 2E-6MN modification for cubes and rhombic dodecahedra. Moreover, density functional theory (DFT) calculations have revealed the emergence of narrow bands within the band gaps of Cu2O{100} and {110} surfaces, but not on the {111} surface. Charge density distribution analysis is also insightful to understand the pronounced photocatalytic activity of the modified Cu2O cubes. Surface functionalization with conjugated molecules represents a new strategy to activate or enhance photoinduced charge transfer of semiconductor materials. © 2022 Royal Society of Chemistry. All rights reserved.
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Type
journal article