Hydrothermally synthesized CuO/NiO composites as a promising photocatalyst for sunlight-driven organic pollutant degradation

Abstract This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic performance of Copper Oxide/Nickel Oxide (CuO/NiO) hybrid composites, produced via a hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the successful formation of CuO/NiO hybrids, highlighting distinct peaks indicative of both CuO and NiO phases. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) displayed well-defined, uniformly distributed particles, while energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) validated the stoichiometric composition of the hybrids. The photocatalytic efficacy of the CuO/NiO composites was evaluated under sunlight, demonstrating significantly enhanced degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye compared to pure CuO. This improvement is attributed to the synergistic interaction between CuO and NiO, which facilitates efficient organic pollutant breakdown. Our findings suggest that CuO/NiO hybrids are promising candidates for advanced water treatment technologies, offering a sustainable and efficient approach to mitigating organic pollutants using sunlight-driven photocatalysis.