Cu–CuO and Cu–CuO–ZnO hybrid nanostructures as photocatalysts and catalysts for efficient removal of pollutants.

Cu–CuO and Cu–CuO–ZnO hybrid nanostructures were fabricated by wet chemical route. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesized nanomaterials were well characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy while their optical and photocatalytic parameters were studied by using UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. The photocatalytic performance of Cu–CuO–ZnO hybrid nanostructures and Cu–CuO hybrid nanostructures were examined via photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue and methyl orange dyes in water whereas catalytic properties of the synthesized hybrid nanostructures were examined through reductive transformation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in water. The prepared nanostructures of Cu–CuO–ZnO completely decomposed methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) in 54 and 45 min, respectively while catalytic decay of 4-NP was achieved in just 2 min using Cu–CuO nanohybrids. The developed Cu–CuO and Cu–CuO–ZnO hybrid nanostructures are extremely capable for the practical and innovative photocatalytic decomposition of waste at large scale as well as catalytic reduction of toxic chemicals from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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