Cu_2-xS loaded diatom nanocomposites as novel photocatalysts for efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

Diatom frustules with hierarchical structures have been widely investigated in many fields due to their unique optical features, excellent mechanical resistance and extraordinarily intricate pore patterns. Herein, Cu_2-xS modified diatomite has been successfully fabricated for the first time via a mild method at room temperature. The Cu_2-xS nanoparticles with diameters of 50–100 nm were uniformly distributed on the diatomite. The as-prepared Cu_2-xS-diatomite (Cu_2-xS-DE) exhibits excellent photocatalytic degradation efficiencies for MB and MO, which reach to 99.1% and 96.9% respectively in 40 min under the irradiation of UV–vis light with 20 mg photocatalyst. The degradation mechanism of the organic pollutant over the Cu_2-xS-DE/H₂O₂ reaction system was also proposed. This work provides an effective strategy to design and prepare of the diatom-based nanomaterials with efficient photocatalytic degradation activity, which is of great value for the environmental applications.