1. ABSRACT
The purpose of this experiment was two-fold. Firstly it was to synthesize shape-controllable Copper Oxide (Cu2O) under alkaline conditions by using hydrothermal methodology. Secondly it was to measure and evaluate its application for photocatalytic degradation of direct blue dye 53 also commonly known as Direct Blue 53 or Evans Blue. Materials used for the first step were Cu2O and the two reactants, CuCl2.2H2O and NaOH. The temperature during the hydrothermal process was raised from 80°C to 140°C. Two products were synthesized: a) the Cu2O nanorod and b) a mixture of Cu2O nanorod and Cu2O nanocubes.
Hydrothermal temperature was found to ...