CuS hierarchical hollow microcubes with improved visible-light photocatalytic performance

Abstract

In this report, a simple Kirkendall-based process using freshly prepared Cu₂O microcubes as sacrificial templates has been successfully demonstrated for the fabrication of CuS hierarchical and hollow micro/nanocubes (HHCs). Individual CuS HHCs were assembled with plenty of nanosheet-like building units. CuS HHCs showed improved photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in the presence of H₂O₂. Under visible light irradiation, the photocatalytic activity of CuS HHCs was 3.7 and 5.8 times higher than those of Cu₂O/CuS and Cu₂O, respectively. Furthermore, they also showed good recyclability in the visible region. It appears that the enhanced photocatalytic performance of the hierarchical and hollow micro/nanostructures can be ascribed to the synergetic effect of the efficient light harvesting and high surface area of the CuS HHCs. The facilely prepared CuS HHC products are promising materials in the fields of photocatalytic and optoelectronic applications.