Morphology-selective crystallization of cocatalysts on cuprous oxide with improved photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Morphology-selective crystallization of manganese, nickel and iron oxides on pre-synthesized cubic cuprous oxide for photocatalysis is reported. Manganese oxide formed nanorods lying down on the surfaces of Cu₂O while nickel oxide formed monodisperse nanospheres. Iron oxides formed vertically aligned nanosheets. Deposition of the iron oxide nanosheets resulted in dramatically improved photocatalytic activities.