Facile template guided solution growth of large-scale Cu_2-xSe nanotubes for visible light photocatalytic applications

Semiconductor materials with hollow structure have acquired increasing research interest due to their excellent properties and extensive applications. Herein, copper selenide nanotubes (Cu_2-xSe NTs) were successfully synthesized through a facile solution route, employing the Se nanowires as the sacrifice template. Evidently, the average diameter and length of the Cu_2-xSe NTs were determined to be approximately 100 nm and 1 μm, respectively. The growth process of as-prepared Cu_2-xSe NTs was determined established on a range of time dependence experiments. Moreover, the photocatalytic performance of Cu_2-xSe NTs was evaluated via degradation of methylene blue solution. With the combination of H₂O₂, the Cu_2-xSe NTs demonstrated good photocatalytic activity with a degradation rate of about 81.3% for 20 min driven by visible light. In addition, the Cu_2-xSe NTs maintained the good stability and recyclability for several degradation cycles. Furthermore, the possible mechanisms regarding growth and photocatalysis of Cu_2-xSe NTs were also discussed.