Photodegradation of p-nitrophenol using octahedral Cu2O particles immobilized on a solid support under a tungsten halogen lamp

Octahedral Cu 2 O particles were prepared on an indium-tin oxide glass via electrodeposition and were employed in the catalytic degradation of p -nitrophenol in the presence of H 2 O 2 . Under irradiation of a warm visible-light source, tungsten halogen lamp, Cu 2 O particles not only acted as a photocatalyst, but might also act as a thermal-catalyst to induce the decomposition of H 2 O 2 and produce O 2 at higher temperatures. The photogenerated electrons and holes could react with H 2 O 2 , O 2 , and H 2 O to produce abundant OH radicals, resulting in the effective oxidation of p -nitrophenol. High-performance liquid chromatography measurements of degradation intermediates showed that p -nitrophenol was first decomposed into hydroquinone and benzoquinone and then mineralized. The degradation efficiency was dependent on electrodeposition time, light intensity, H 2 O 2 amount, and solution temperature. This catalyst could be easily recycled and used in the efficient degradation of other phenolic compounds.