Non-graphitized carbon/Cu2O/Cu0 nanohybrids with improved stability and enhanced photocatalytic H2 production

Synthesis of nGC/Cu₂O/Cu⁰ heterojunctions by anoxic-flame spray pyrolysis

The anoxic-FSP synthesis of Cu NPs was carried out within an enclosed-flame FSP reactor, with a dispersion feed consisting of {oxygen (O₂)–methane (CH₄)} mixture that allows creation of a strongly reducing atmosphere in the flame (Fig. 1b i–ii)³⁹. N₂ sheath gas was used to further maintain the anoxic atmosphere over the flow-field of the particles. A 35 cm metal tube, with no-gap, was used to enclose the flame and to shield the whole flow-field, up to the particle collector system, from ambient air (Fig. 1a)….