This study explores the construction and performance of CuO-ZnS-ZnO and CuO-CdS-ZnO heterojunction structures on Cu gauze substrates. The assembly process involves three stages: growing CuO nanowires via direct heating, decorating them with ZnS or CdS nanostructures, and growing ZnO nanowires using wet chemical methods. Characterization with FESEM, XRD, FETEM, EDS, and XPS verified the successful preparation of the CuO-CdS-ZnO heterostructures. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by examining the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) solution under UVC light exposure. CuO-CdS-ZnO heterostructures with a 5 mM CdS precursor concentration showed superior photocatalytic efficiency compared to CuO-ZnS-ZnO heterostructures. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy indicated more efficient charge separation in CuO-CdS-ZnO, enhancing photocatalytic activity. Experiments with radical scavengers highlighted that hydroxyl and superoxide radicals are the primary reactive species responsible for the degradation of RhB solution. A proposed mechanism highlights the improved electron and hole migration in CuO-CdS-ZnO heterostructures, contributing to their superior performance. Stability tests showed consistent efficiency over multiple cycles, confirming the durability and reusability of these heterostructures. Additionally, CuO-CdS-ZnO heterostructures demonstrated excellent photocatalytic performance under solar light, outperforming CuO-ZnS-ZnO heterostructures. This study underscores the potential of CuO-CdS-ZnO heterostructures for effective and sustainable photocatalytic applications.
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