Controllable synthesis of Ag–CuO composite nanosheets with enhanced photocatalytic property

• Controllable synthesis of Ag–CuO composite nanosheets on a Cu foil.
• Structure and optical properties of Ag–CuO composite nanosheets.
• Enhanced photocatalytic property of Ag–CuO composite nanosheets, compared to pure CuO nanosheets.

Silver–copper oxide (Ag–CuO) composite nanosheets with Ag nanoparticles located along the surfaces of CuO nanosheets were synthesized via a facile low-cost solution method. The number of Ag nanoparticles grown on CuO nanosheets can be well controlled by tuning the reaction time. Structure, morphology and optical properties of the as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Additionally, photocatalytic performance of Ag–CuO composite nanosheets was evaluated in detail. The unique nanostructured composites showed a significant enhancement in the photocatalytic property in comparison to pure CuO as demonstrated in photodegradation of methyl orange (MO).