In situ loading of CuS nanoflowers on rutile TiO ₂ surface and their improved photocatalytic performance

CuS nanoflowers, fabricated by an element-direct-reaction route using copper and sulfur powder, were loaded on rutile TiO ₂ (CuS/TiO ₂ ) at low temperature. CuS/TiO ₂ composites were utilized as the photocatalysts for the degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP). X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), XPS, and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra were used to characterize the crystalline phase, morphology, particle size, and the optical properties of CuS/TiO ₂ samples. It is found that CuS/TiO ₂ photocatalyst, which CuS are loaded on the surface of rutile TiO ₂ , exhibited enhanced photocatalytic degradation of MB (or 4-CP) than TiO ₂ or CuS. This indicates that CuS can enhance effectively the photocatalytic activity of rutile TiO ₂ by forming heterojunction between CuS and rutile TiO ₂ , which is confirmed by photoluminescence (PL) spectra and TEM. Moreover, CuS content has a significant influence on photocatalytic activity and 2 wt% CuS/TiO ₂ showed the maximum photocatalytic activity for degradation of MB.