MoS(2)-Cu/CuO@graphene Heterogeneous Photocatalysis for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of MB from Water

The industrial revolution resulted in the contamination of natural water resources. Therefore, it is necessary to save and recover the natural water resources. In this regard, polymer-based composites have attracted the scientific community for their application in wastewater treatment. Herein, molybdenum disulfide composites with a mix phase of copper, copper oxide and graphene (MoS(2)-Cu/CuO@GN) were synthesized through the hydrothermal method. Methylene blue (MB) was degraded by around 93.8% within the 30 min in the presence of MoS(2)-Cu/CuO@GN under visible light. The degradation efficiency was further enhanced to 98.5% with the addition of H(2)O(2) as a catalyst. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of pure MoS(2), MoS(2)-Cu/CuO and MoS(2)-Cu/CuO@GN were also investigated under the same experimental conditions. The structural analysis endorses the presence of the Cu/CuO dual phase in MoS(2). The charge recombination ratio and band gap of MoS(2)-Cu/CuO@GN were also investigated in comparison to pure MoS(2) and MoS(2)-Cu/CuO. The chemical states, the analysis of C1s, O1s, Mo3d and Cu2p3, were also analyzed to explore the possible interaction among the present elements. The surface morphology confirms the existence of Cu/CuO and GN to MoS(2).