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The preparation of Cu2O@Au yolk/shell structures for efficient photocatalytic activity with a self-generated acid etching method

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Abstract

Cu2O@Au yolk/shell structures were successfully prepared with a facile self-generated acid etching method at room temperature. The morphology is controllable by adding different amount of HAuCl4·4H2O. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images showed that Au nanoparticles self-assembled into a porous shell around Cu2O core while the produced etching agent etched the core gradually and formed the cavity. The photocatalytic property of Cu2O@Au yolk/shell structures was studied by degrading MO under the irradiation of visible light at room temperature. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of cavity micro-reactor and electron transfer, the photocatalytic performance of the as-prepared Cu2O@Au yolk/shell structures was much better than that of pure Cu2O. The possible photocatalytic mechanism of the Cu2O@Au yolk/shell catalysts was proposed and elaborated in this study. It is certified that Yolk/shell structures have potential applications in photocatalysis for its active sites on the large specific area.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a key project for Industry-Academia-Research in Jiangsu Province (BY2016043-01), the Enterprise Cooperation Projects (P110900316).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Soochow, 215123, China

    Rui Chen, Juan Lu, Shengnan Liu & Zuoshan Wang

  2. College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Soochow, 215123, China

    Min Zheng

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  1. Rui Chen
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  2. Juan Lu
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  4. Min Zheng
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  5. Zuoshan Wang
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Correspondence to Zuoshan Wang.

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Chen, R., Lu, J., Liu, S. et al. The preparation of Cu2O@Au yolk/shell structures for efficient photocatalytic activity with a self-generated acid etching method. J Mater Sci 53, 1781–1790 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-017-1614-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-017-1614-4

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