Photocatalytic dye degradation with copper–titanium dioxide nanocomposites under sunlight and visible light irradiation

Photocatalytic methalyne blue dye degradation was carried out with copper (Cu)–titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposites under sunlight and visible light irradiation. The Cu–TiO2 nanocomposites were fabricated via femtosecond laser ablation of pressed targets in water. The current method provides a facile route for Cu–TiO2 nanocomposites preparation, which is free from impurities on the catalysts surface. The Cu–TiO2 nanocomposites (with Cu content of 5 wt%) have shown 3 folds faster dye degradation kinetics compared with TiO2 nanoparticles under sunlight irradiation. While under visible light irradiation, the same nanocomposites exhibited 2.6 folds faster kinetics compared with TiO2 nanoparticles. The faster light harvesting efficiency of the catalysts is attributed to more hydroxyl radical generation.