ZnO/CuO heterojunction prepared by sol-gel: characterization and photocatalytic evaluation

Abstract

ZnO, CuO and the ZnO/CuO heterojunction were prepared using zin acetate and copper acetate by sol-gel method. The materials were characterized by: TGA, XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, EDS and UV-Vis. The heterostructure showed a synergistic effect compared to pure materials. The XPS results confirm the existence of a heterostructure. The morphology is a combination of characteristic morphologies of ZnO and CuO. The bandgap of ZnO decreases with the incorporation of CuO. The photocatalytic efficiency of the heterostructure increases; the degradation percentages were better for the heterostructures in both radiations: Ultraviolet and Visible.