Optimization of Plasmonic Copper Content at Copper-Modified Strontium Titanate (Cu-SrTiO3): Synthesis, Characterization, Photocatalytic Activity

Catalyst development still has a major impact on science today, as we can use catalysts to break down certain pollutants in an energy-efficient way. There is no comprehensive literature the of SrTiO3-based photocatalysts, so study this area justified. Related topic, here report facile preparation surface-modified SrTiO3 photocatalyst, performed by plasmonic copper deposition. In case copper-modified samples (0.25–3 wt.% Cu content), photooxidation phenol, model contaminant, was almost 4–5 times higher than bare SrTiO3. However, photocatalytic activity not linearly related content, since highest photoactivity achieved at 1 content. The reason for better effect copper, which increases recombination time charge separation catalyst surface. During slower recombination, more water oxidized hydroxyl radicals, lead faster degradation phenol.