Sonochemical synthesis of CuS/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites with enhanced absorption and photocatalytic performance

• CuS/rGO nanocomposites have been prepared via a sonochemical method.
• CuS nanoparticles of 10–25 nm are well distributed on the rGO nanosheets.
• CuS/rGO nanocomposites show a strong and broad light absorption.
• CuS/rGO nanocomposites exhibit remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity.

The CuS nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene oxide (CuS/rGO) composites have been successfully prepared via a sonochemical method. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy observations confirm that CuS nanoparticles of 10–25 nm are well distributed on the rGO nanosheets. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy reveals the CuS/rGO nonocomposites show a strong and broad light absorption. Photocatalytic performance of the CuS/rGO nanocomposites is evaluated by measuring the decomposition of methylene blue solution under natural light. The experimental results reveal that the as-prepared nanocomposites show remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with pure CuS. This can be attributed to the enhanced light adsorption, strong dyestuff absorption, and efficient charge transport after the introduction of rGO.

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