STUDY ON THE FABRICATION AND PHOTOREDUCTION PROPERTIES OF CO2 BY Cu2O/ZnO NANOWIRE MATERIAL SYSTEM

Abstract

In this work, we successfully synthesized Cu2O/ZnO nanowire material systems, adjusting the molar ratios
between Cu2O and ZnO using hydrothermal and wet chemical methods. Notably, the Cu2O nanoclusters
displayed a square shape with a size of about 100-200 nm, adhered to ZnO nanowires. The Cu2O/ZnO
composite system, as a photocatalyst, converts CO2 into CH4 gas in an aqueous environment. The highest
conversion efficiency, at 28.44 µmol.

.h-1
, was achieved by the Cu2O/ZnO sample with the highest Cu2O
concentration, surpassing pure ZnO (4.66 µmol.

.h-1
) by a factor of six. The enhanced catalytic activity
is attributed to the expansion of the absorption range into the visible light region and the synergic
interaction between ZnO and Cu2O at the interface. Moreover, the surface morphology plays a crucial role
in enhancing the CO2 photoreduction activity of the Cu2O/ZnO system.