Synthesis and Characterization of Cu2O Nanoplates and Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutant under Visible Light

Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanoplates are synthesised using the Co-precipitation method. The prepared nanoplates is confirmed by using XRD and optical properties was determined by UV-Vis DRS and the direct bandgap was done using Tauc's plot. The band gap values determined for Cu2O nanoplates around 1.69 eV, which is clearly on the visible region. The using TEM image determined the morphology of the prepared Cu2O nanoplates, the observed result was plate like shape. The photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue was carried out in visible light. The adsorption was carried out in the dark for 30 min before photodegradation. The MB degradation efficiency for Control and Cu2O nanoplates were 5.1 and 70%, respectively. The MB Degradation efficiency for Cu2O nanoplates for the 13.7 times better degradation rate than without catalyst.