Pd-Incorporated Cu2-XSe Thin Film Structure: Preparation, Characterization And Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Pd incorporated Cu2-XSe thin films were fabricated by a facile electrochemical method followed by a simple replacement reaction. Pd incorporated Cu2-XSe film shows shift in optical absorption compared with pure Cu2-XSe film. The incorporation of Pd in Cu2-XSe structure changes the morphology of Cu2-XSe thin film. Under visible light irradiation, Pd incorporated Cu2-XSe thin film catalyst displays higher photocatalytic activity than pure Cu2-XSe for Cr(VI) reduction. The enhanced photocatalytic activity should be attributed to the well-matched band structure of Cu2-XSe with the Fermi level of the incorporated Pd, which leads to the effective transfer and separation of the photogenerated electrons. (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.