Electrodeposition of CU2O Films at Room Temperature for Methylene Blue Photodegradation

Abstract

The Cu2O films were synthesized using the electrodeposition technique at room temperature. To investigate the phase, electrochemical properties, and photocatalytic activity of the Cu2O films, the duration of electrodeposition was varied. The catalytic activity of methylene blue (MB) photodegradation was studied. The X-ray diffraction measurement showed that single-phase Cu2O was successfully formed from the prepared films. Electrochemical properties analysis under visible light irradiation showed that a high photocurrent recorded by the linear sweep voltammetry technique was obtained from Cu2O synthesized with deposition time of 60 minutes. This result could be associated with the lowest resistance charge transfer of the sample compared to other deposition times measured using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method. The catalytic activity showed that this Cu2O is the most effective photocatalyst, as it provides a 51.5% degradation of MB dye.