Studies on the structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of CuO/MgO nanocomposite prepared by facile chemical co-precipitation

Abstract Several semiconducting materials have gained paramount attention as photocatalysts in the treatment of toxic organic effluents. Among them metal oxides play a major role in photodegradation of dye effluents. In the present work, CuO/MgO nanocomposite has been prepared by chemical co-precipitation. The structural, morphological and optical properties were studied using X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron microscopy and Uv–Visible spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the formation of CuO/MgO nanocomposite. Scanning Electron microscope images shows spherical particles with homogeneous morphology. Composition studies has been carried out by EDAX analysis. HRTEM images further confirms the presence of spherical particles and the structure of CuO-MgO. Bandgap value of the prepared composite is determined to be 1.67 eV. Photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) using the prepared CuO-MgO composite has been investigated. The results of photocatalytic activity reveal 87% degradation of MB for a time period of 60 min.