Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Cu and Ni-doped ZnO nanostructures: A comparative study of methyl orange dye degradation in aqueous solution

Heterogeneous photocatalysis has been considered one of the most effective and efficient techniques to remove organic contaminants from wastewater. The present work was designed examine photocatalytic performance metal (Cu Ni) doped ZnO nanocomposites in methyl orange (MO) dye degradation under UV light illumination. wurtzite hexagonal structure observed for both undoped/doped a crystalline size ranging between 8.84 ± 0.71 12.91 0.84 nm by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. scanning electron microscope (SEM) energy dispersive (EDX) revealed irregular spherical shape with particle diameter (34.43 6.03 26.43 4.14 nm) ensured purity individual elemental composition respectively. chemical bonds (O–H group) binding (1021.8 eV) were identified Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results bandgap decreased 3.44 3.16 eV when Ni dopant added lattice. comparative activity undoped found be 76.31%, 81.95%, 89.30%, 83.39% ZnO, Cu/ZnO, Ni/ZnO, Cu/Ni/ZnO photocatalysts, respectively, particular dose (0.210 g) concentration (10 mg L−1) after 180 min illumination light. increased up 94.40% increase pH (12.0) whereas reduced (35.12%) an initial (40 using Ni/ZnO nanocomposite. nanocomposite showed excellent reusability 81% four consecutive cycles. best-fitted reaction kinetics followed pseudo-first-order rate constant (0.0117 min−1) enhanced photodegradation efficiency due decreases photocatalyst. Therefore, could used as emerging photocatalyst degrade bio-persistent compounds textile