Synergistic effects of photothermal CuS nanoparticles immobilized on the thermoresponsive polymer for photocatalytic degradation of organic dye

•Photocatalytic activity of CuS NPs greatly improved upon immobilizing on PNIPAM.•CuS NPs with PNIPAM hydrogels enhance photothermal–photocatalytic performance.•Positive influence of the NIR-induced temperature increase is demonstrated. This study explores the synergistic effects of photothermal and photocatalytic properties by investigating CuS nanoparticles immobilized on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) polymer. The photothermal-photocatalytic decomposition test of organic dye demonstrated a significant enhancement in photocatalytic activity upon immobilizing CuS on PNIPAM. The closer proximity of CuS nanoparticles, induced by the photothermal effect of CuS and PNIPAM shrinkage, led to improved heat generation and enhanced photocatalytic performance under simultaneous ultraviolet and infrared light irradiations.