Preparation and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye under LED light for porous and non-porous Cu balls

Abstract Porous and non-porous Cu (P-Cu and NP-Cu, respectively) balls were prepared using a Cu2+ precursor with N2H4∙H2O, a reducing agent, in a hydrothermal vessel and a three-necked flask, with mechanical stirring, respectively. The morphologies of the P-Cu and NP-Cu balls were investigated through scanning electron microscopic images. The photocatalytic activity of the P-Cu and NP-Cu balls and commercial Cu foils under a white light-emitting diode was evaluated by monitoring the photodecolorization of a dye, methylene blue, in aqueous solution.