Investigating the photocatalytic efficacy of a porous cuprous gallate (CuGa2O4) thick film

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the photocatalytic activity of porous copper gallate (CuGa2O4) thick film with significant wall dimensions. The thick film was meticulously fabricated using tape casting systems, with CuGa2O4 nanoparticles synthesized by Sol-Gel technique and subsequently transformed into gels for the tape casting process. Rietveld refinements were employed to elucidate the crystal structure and lattice parameters of the CuGa2O4 spinel oxide lattice. Moreover, electronic energy configurations and optical transmittance measurements were acquired through UV-visible spectrophotometry. The correlations between the crystal structure, band gap change and formation of electronic energy levels in relation to the photocatalytic performance of CuGa2O4 were explored. The comprehensive examination provides valuable insights into the complex interaction between material properties and photocatalytic behavior, offering a nuanced understanding of the potential applications of porous CuGa2O4 thick films in various technological fields.