One-step simple sonochemical fabrication and photocatalytic properties of Cu2O-rGO composites

An easy, one-step synthesis of Cu2O-reduced graphene composites (Cu2O-rGO) was developed using a simple sonochemical route without any surfactants or templates. The morphology and structure of the Cu2O-rGO composites were characterised using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that the Cu2O sphere is approximately 200 nm in diameter and composed of small Cu2O particles approximately 20 nm in diameter. The morphology and composition of the Cu2O-rGO composites could be well controlled by simply changing the mole ratio of the reactants under ultrasonic irradiation. The Cu2O-rGO composites displayed better photocatalytic performance for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) than pure Cu2O spheres, which may have potential applications in water treatment, sensors, and energy storage. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.