Designing of visible light active composites of CuS and ZnO for improved photocatalytic performance under solar light irradiation

Organic pollutants are considered to be very dangerous because of their bio-accumulative nature. They are responsible for many devastating diseases and environmental problems. Semiconductor photo catalysis being economic, non-toxic and sustainable technology exhibits great potential for removal of these pollutants. ZnO/CuS nanocomposites were fabricated by using template free hydrothermal route. XRD patterns confirm the successful fabrication of the composite. The morphology of prepared samples is explored through field emission scanning electron microscopy. UV–vis spectroscopy results indicate that samples of ZnO achieved visible light active upon composite formation, which not only reduces the bandgap but also retards the recombination time. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO is evaluated using methyl orange as a model pollutant. ZnO/CuS composite shows enhanced photocatalytic degradation ability as compared to pristine ZnO and CuS.