Hydrothermal synthesis of highly stable CuO nanostructures for efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes

Highly stable CuO nanoleaves were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method using tri-sodium citrate as a structure directing agent. The surface shape of the CuO nanoleaves was controlled and optimized by adjusting the molar concentration of the citrate. The structural properties of the prepared nanoleaves were investigated using X-ray diffraction which confirmed the formation of monoclinic CuO with an average crystallite size of 13–17 nm. FESEM and TEM analysis techniques confirmed the leaf-like morphology of CuO with sizes ranging from 250–300 nm. Analysis of the SAED pattern showed the polycrystalline nature of CuO nanoleaves. The band gap energy Eg was evaluated as ranging from 2.67 to 2.97 eV from the UV–visible spectrum. CuO nanoleaves exhibited excellent recyclable photocatalytic activity with degradation values of 89% and 96% for methylene blue (MB) and methylene violet (MV) dyes respectively under ultraviolet light illumination. Thus, the present work is significant in terms of the potential applications in waste water treatment.