Effect of Cupric Salts (Cu (NO₃)₂, CuSO₄, Cu(CH₃COO)₂) on Cu₂(OH)PO₄ Morphology for Photocatalytic Degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol under Near-infrared light irradiation

Cu₂(OH)PO₄ microstructures were synthesized by the hydrothermal method using three different types cupric salts (Cu (NO₃)₂, CuSO₄, Cu(CH₃COO)₂) as raw materials. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-visible-NIR absorption spectra were used to characterize the as-obtained products. The different anions (SO₄^2-, CH₃COO^-, NO_3-) have different shapes and polarities, which can generate different interactions in reaction bath, induced the difference of structure and morphology of the prepared Cu₂(OH)PO₄. The Cu₂(OH)PO₄ microstructures prepared form Cu(NO₃)₂•3H₂O showed the best photocatalytic activity induced by near-infrared light to degrade 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) solution. Our work suggests that the active morphological surfaces as well as different coordination environments for the metal ions has an important influence on the photocatalytic performance of Cu₂(OH)PO₄ microstructure.

Keywords:
Cu₂(OH)PO₄; Morphology; Near-infrared light; Photocatalytic performance