RGO/Cu2O-CuO nanocomposite as a visible-light assisted photocatalyst for reduction of organic nitro groups to amines

•Utility of visible light as safe and available light in the photoreduction of nitro aromatic compounds•A photocatalyst using rGO andCuO- Cu2O NPs.•An efficient catalyst for photoreduction of various nitroaromatic compounds•The catalyst can be recovered and used for several times without significant loss of ability Here, we developed a copper oxide based photocatalyst for the reducing nitrobenzenes to the aminobenzenes using hydrazine monohydrate in the presence of visible light. Reduction of a mixture of Cu (II) and graphene oxide (GO) with NaBH4.H2O leads to the formation of a photocatalyst (rGO/Cu2O-CuO) in which reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets coupled with Cu2O and CuO nanoparticles. The prepared photocatalyst and its photoactivity were identified and studied using FTIR, Raman, XRD, XPS, FESEM, TEM, EDAX, DRS, BET, EIS and PL technique. The catalyst is used for the reduction of nitrobenzenes to corresponding aminobenzenes by use of hydrazine monohydrate under the 30 W visible light radiation. The photocatalyst was recovered and reused seven times and no significant change in efficiency was observed.1Introduction [Display omitted]