A simple synthesis of CuO NPs for photocatalytic applications and theirs structural and optical properties.

Abstract

In this study, the copper nanoparticles were synthesized by simple co-precipitation method which were obtained by heating at 80°C for
photocatalytic application. The microstructural characterization of the nanopowder obtained was performed using X-ray diffraction
(XRD), SEM, EDS, and Infrared Spectroscopy (IR). The optical properties of nanoparticles were studied by UV-Visible spectroscopy.
XRD studies demonstrated that the formation of CuO monoclinic phase and the average grain size of CuO crystallite were found to be 30
nm. The FTIR spectral analysis showed the characteristics peaks of Cu-O bond. The EDAX result indicated that there were no other
elemental impurities present in the prepared CuO nanoparticles. SEM images indicate the morphology as a three-dimensional flower-like
structure was successfully prepared for subsequent degradation of methylene blue (MB). With regard to the optical proprieties, the value
of the bandgap energy equals 1.34 eV.