Abstract
Based on highly ordered TiO(2) nanotube arrays (NTAs), we successfully fabricated the Cu(2)O-TiO(2) NTA heterojunction by a simple thermal decomposition process for the first time. The anodic TiO(2) NTAs were functioned as both "nano-container" and "nano-reactors" to load and synthesize the narrow band Cu(2)O nanoparticles. The loaded Cu(2)O expanded absorption spectrum of the TiO(2) NTAs from ultraviolent range to visible light range. We found that the Cu(2)O-TiO(2) NTA heterojunction films had visible activity towards photocatalytic degrading methyl orange (MO). The photocatalytic abilities of the Cu(2)O-TiO(2) NTA heterojunction films were found increased with the Cu(2)O content from 0.05 to 0.3 mol/L. This could be explained by more electron-hole pairs generated and less recombination, when the Cu(2)O-TiO(2) heterojunction got formed. Here, we put forward this promising method, hoping it can facilitate the mass production and applications of Cu(2)O-TiO(2) NTA heterojunction.