Green synthesis of bi-component copper oxide composites and enhanced photocatalytic performance

A facile and green route was proposed for the synthesis of bi-component copper oxide composite without any templates and additives. The effects of D-(+)-glucose amount, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the morphology and constitution of the products were investigated by SEM, X-ray diffraction, and UV-vis DRS in detail. The results indicate that a series of Cu 2 O-CuO bi-component copper oxide composites with various morphologies can be easily obtained. Structure characterisation and photocatalytic tests show that the bi-component Cu 2 O-CuO composites exhibited better photodecolouration of methylene blue than those of the Cu 2 O, CuO, and Cu-CuO compounds owing to the existence of the synergistic effect between the CuO and Cu 2 O.