Morphology Driven Enhanced photocatalytic activity of CuO/BiOI Nanocomposites

Abstract The development of novel highly efficient semiconductor metal oxide catalysts for enhanced photocatalytic dye degradation had of great significance. Herein, we report the synthesis of novel and highly efficient CuO/BiOI nanocomposite (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 wt % of CuO) semiconductor photocatalysts by a facile hydrothermal method. High crystallinity of tetragonal structure had observed from XRD studies. From SEM and TEM studies flower like morphology had observed upto 30% of CuO in CuO/BiOI nanocomposite and for 40% of CuO nanoflower like morphology slightly diminishes. EDAX and XPS spectra depict the presence of Bi, O, I, Cu only no other impurities had observed. Stretching and bending vibrational modes had observed from FTIR analysis. Bandgap decreases gradually upto 30% of CuO in CuO/BiOI nanocomposite and slightly increases for 40% of CuO in CuO/BiOI nanocomposite. Decrease in peak intensity due to charge carriers were observed from Photoluminescence studies Photocatalytic activity had estimated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) solution under visible light irradiation. The flower-like morphology of 30% CuO in CuO/BiOI nanocomposite showed the high absorption ability to facilitate the generation of charge carriers as well as active oxygen species.