Fabrication of Cu2O/TiO2 nano-tube arrays photoelectrode and its enhanced photoelectrocatalytic performance for degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol

Cu 2 O decorated TiO 2 nano-tube arrays (Cu 2 O/TiO 2 NTAs) photoelectrode was fabricated through electrodeposition strategy. Meanwhile, physicochemical properties of the resulting photoelectrode were systematically studied by series of measurements. Results indicated that Cu 2 O/TiO 2 NTAs photoelectrode performed a significantly enhanced light absorbance in the visible region between 400 and 800   nm, transient photocurrent density of 0.162   mA   Cm −2 , photogenerated charge separation efficiency and 99.9% of photoelectrocatalytic efficiency for decomposition of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol within 120   min Xenon illumination with the help of +1.0   V (vs. SCE) potential. Furthermore, the enhanced visible light responsible photoelectrocatalytic mechanism was proposed and discussed.