High performance heterojunction photocatalytic membranes formed by embedding Cu2O and TiO2 nanowires in reduced graphene oxide

Abstract

A heterojunction photocatalytic membrane consisting of Cu 2 O and TiO 2 nanowires between reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets was fabricated using a facile process from a colloidal suspension. The resultant membrane exhibits significantly enhanced activity in the UV-vis range, surpassing nanowire dispersions, owing to the heterojunction formation and concurrent electron and hole transfer on rGO sheets. The membrane also possesses increased permeability and photocorrosion resistance. Such a design and fabrication method of an rGO-facilitated heterojunction photocatalytic membrane can be extended to a broad range of energy and environmental applications.