Innovative approach to synthesize Mo-Doped CuO Nanostructures: Uncovering structural and photocatalytic insights

Abstract

The synthesis of molybdenum-doped copper oxide was carried out using a sol–gel technique, with sodium hydroxide as a pH regulator. Structural, morphological, and compositional analysis of both pure and molybdenum-doped copper oxide was observed through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). For the monoclinic CuO nanostructure, key structural parameters like crystallite size, lattice parameters, micro strain, and dislocation density from XRD data was determined. Several methods, were employed to assess the crystallite size, micro strain, and dislocation density of synthesized nanostructures. The photocatalytic activity of Mo-doped CuO nano photocatalyst was evaluated using PL spectroscopy. Notably, the results demonstrated that 3% molybdenum-doped copper oxide removed 91% of the MB dye, outperforming the pure CuO sample, which only achieved 59% removal. This enhanced performance can be attributed to the increased surface area and optimized band gap of the Mo-doped CuO. The tuned band gap and unique nano architecture of the doped CuO not only facilitated the excitation process but also facilitated in transporting photo-induced species to the photo catalyst’s surface. These findings highlight the exceptional photocatalytic efficacy of the 3% molybdenum-doped CuO photo catalyst, showcasing its potential for treating toxic industrial effluents even through multiple cycles.