Cu(OH)2 Nanostructures for Dynamic Photodegradation of Methyl Orange under Visible Light

Abstract

new material of Cu(OH)₂ nanostructures was prepared using cupric nitrate and sodium hydroxide as raw materials by the chemical precipitation method. The Cu(OH)₂ nanostructures were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectrometer, and X-ray diffractometer. The results showed that the Cu(OH)₂ nanostructures exhibited excellent uniform and dispersion at 40°C. A series of factors was investigated to effect the photocatalytic efficiency of methyl orange (MO), such as the concentration of Cu(OH)₂ nanostructures, the reaction time of the Cu(OH)₂ nanostructures, the initial concentration of MO, and so on. As a result, the Cu(OH)₂ nanostructures exhibited excellent photocatalytic efficiency with the concentration of 20 mg L^–1 Cu(OH)₂ nanostructures, the initial concentration of MO was 15 mg L^–1 and the stirring time was 70 min.