Core-shell Structured Nano CuO@CER Composites for the Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue

Abstract

The composite material of nano CuO loaded on ion exchange resin (CuO@CER) as the carrier was prepared successfully by constant temperature oscillation and hydrothermal synthesis methods. It was applied to the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) as an organic pollutant, and further to explore the optimal conditions for CuO@CER photoelectrocatalytic degradation of MB. The results showed that the composite material had a typical core-shell structure, and the nano CuO loaded on the ion exchange resin had good crystallinity and high purity. CuO@CER exhibited excellent photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic performance towards MB, with degradation rates of 92.02% and 95.20% in 70 min under their respective optimal reaction conditions. Furthermore, the photoelectrocatalytic stability of CuO@CER was good relatively, and the degradation rates of MB exceeded 96% after 5 cycles of photoelectrocatalytic experiments. Free radical quenching experiments indicated that superoxide radicals were the main active groups during the photoelectrocatalysis. Additionally, the mechanism of photocatalytic degradation for MB under the electric field was briefly analyzed. This study will provide technical support for the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of organic dye wastewater.