Rapid Single-Step Synthesis and Crystal Structure Analysis of Cu:ZnO Photocatalyst for Efficient Degradation of Reactive Dyes Under UV–Visible Light Irradiation

Toxic dyes are utilized extensively in different textile industries, and to eliminate them photodegradation is one of the best strategies which is chemically reliable, cost-effective and eco-friendly. In this research work, Cu:ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and their structural, morphological, chemical and electrical characteristics were studied by XRD, SEM, EDX, FTIR and I–V characteristics, whereas UV–visible spectrometry was used to measure absorbance of dyes after different durations of time. XRD reveals wurtzite hexagonal structure with average size in range of 19–24 nm. Detailed crystal structure was investigated; lattice parameters, volume, porosity, bond length, dislocation density, stress, strain, Lorentz factor, surface area, bulk density, Lorentz polarization factor, morphological index, etc., were calculated. The SEM analysis revealed that the nanoparticles consist of regular spherical shape with grain size observed in the range of 30–70 nm. Resistivity/conductivity was calculated, and confirmation of straight line in I–V plot indicated that Cu:ZnO NPs exhibited ohmic behavior. The photocatalytic activity of two reactive dyes, Sandal Fix orange and Blue was assessed under UV–visible light at different pH values, i.e., pH = 4, 7 and 12. Photodegradation efficiency of 91% was observed for both dyes at pH = 12 in 120 and 105 min for blue and orange dye, respectively. The effect of pH, rate kinetics and other important parameters was investigated. It was observed that Cu:ZnO NPs exhibit greater photocatalytic efficiency than pure ZnO and can be utilized as promising photocatalyst for degradation of industrial dyes.