CuWO4 decorated ZnO corn kernels-like nanostructure for enhanced photocatalytic activity

The reflux method was successfully employed to synthesize a CuWO4-decorated zine oxide (ZnO) corn kernel-like nanostructure. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the CuWO4 and ZnO corn kernel-like nanostructures exhibit anorthic and hexagonal structures, respectively. The composite structure of CuWO4-decorated ZnO was composed of two phases: the hexagonal ZnO and the anorthic CuWO4. The photodegradation of rhodamine B was tested using CuWO4, ZnO, and various CuWO4-decorated ZnO photocatalysts under solar radiation for 140 min. Among the photocatalysts tested, 10% CuWO4-decorated ZnO exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity. Additionally, this material demonstrated high stability and reusability over three consecutive photocatalytic tests.