Synthesis of Ag @CuO nanocomposites supported by reduced graphene oxide nanosheets: harnessing photocatalytic degradation of naphthol blue black dye

Abstract

The significance of utilizing photocatalysts to degrade toxic dyes and microbes has grown in recent years. It has been demonstrated as a successful method for utilizing light through hybrid photocatalysts to break down harmful organic molecules. This study aims to investigate the potential applications of CuO–Ag/rGO nanocomposites in environmental remediation. The nanocomposites were synthesized by incorporating Ag and CuO nanoparticles onto rGO nanosheets via hydrothermal method. The nanocomposites that resulted were thoroughly characterized using various analytical techniques to determine their chemical structure, morphology, crystallinity, and photocatalytic application. The degradation efficiency of naphthol black blue (NBB) dye under visible light irradiation was used to assess the photocatalytic performance of the nanocomposites. It was revealed that 80.2%, 90.3%, and 97.3% of NBB dye degraded as a result of enhanced photocatalytic activity of synthesized CuO–Ag/rGO. The research provides valuable insights into the design and development of advanced nanomaterials for efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment applications.