Green Synthesis of a CuO-ZnO Nanocomposite for Efficient Photodegradation of Methylene Blue and Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol.

Abstract

CuO–ZnO nanocomposites (NCs) were synthesized using an aqueous extract of Verbascum sinaiticum Benth. (GH) plant. X-ray diffraction (XRD), spectroscopic, and microscopic methods were used to explore the crystallinity, optical properties, morphology, and other features of the CuO–ZnO samples. Furthermore, catalytic performances were investigated for methylene blue (MB) degradation and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction. According to the results, CuO–ZnO NCs with 20 wt % CuO showed enhanced photocatalytic activity against MB dye with a 0.017 min–1 rate constant compared to 0.0027 min–1 for ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). Similarly, a ratio constant of 5.925 min–1 g–1 4-NP reductions was achieved with CuO–ZnO NCs. The results signified enhanced performance of CuO–ZnO NCs relative to ZnO NPs. The enhancement could be due to the synergy between ZnO and CuO, resulting in improved absorption of visible light and reduced electron–hole (e–/h+) recombination rate. In addition, variations in the CuO content affected the performance of the CuO–ZnO NCs. Thus, the CuO–ZnO NCs prepared using V. sinaiticum Benth. extract could make the material a desirable catalyst for the elimination of organic pollutants.