Controllable synthesis of self-assembled Cu2S nanostructures through a template-free polyol process for the degradation of organic pollutant under visible light

Cu₂S nanostructures were fabricated by polyol method and then characterized by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution TEM. The morphologically different Cu₂S nanostructures such as vertically nanorod arrays, nanoflowers assembled by nanorod arrays, nanoparticles and nanowires, can be successfully synthesized under different experimental conditions. The growth mechanism for the different nanostructures is proposed. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared samples was evaluated based on the degradation of organic pollutant, active brilliant red X-3B (X-3B), under visible light. Among the Cu₂S nanostructures, self-assembled nanoflowers have the highest photocatalytic activity. In addition, the prepared Cu₂S nanostructures are found to be able to decolorize X-3B with iron ions for the formation of Fenton reagent. This study provides a more choice to prepare self-assembled nanostructures for the application of environmental pollution control.