Fabrication and characterization of TiO2/CuS nanocomposites (Cu = 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 M) utilized for the photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet dye

TiO2, CuS, and TiO2/CuS (M= 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75) nanocomposites were synthesized using one-step hydrothermal method for the photocatalytic degradation of harmful crystal violet dye. XRD patterns of pure and composite nanoparticles revealed tetragonal and hexagonal crystal structures of TiO2anatase and CuS nanoparticles. The band gap of the TiO2/CuS nanocomposites (indirect) were reduced when compared to pure TiO2due to the formation of new fermi levels inside the band gap with the assistance of CuS nanoparticles. SEM images of TiO2and CuS nanoparticles showed spherical nanostructures, whereas TiO2/CuS nanocomposites revealed a truncated tetragonal bipyramid TiO2crystal structure on top of which spherical CuS nanoparticles were deposited. Photocatalytic absorption spectrum confirmed that TiO2/CuS nanocomposite having a molar ratio of 0.25 M exhibited the highest degradation of 78.35% in 60 min and the pseudo first-order rate constant (k) was evaluated to be 2.969 × 10–2mg/cm2.Graphical abstractTiO2/CuS nanocomposites were synthesized using facile hydrothermal method by varying the molar ratio of copper to be 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 M. Crystal violet dye which is a potent carcinogen was used for the photocatalytic degradation of TiO2/CuS nanocomposites. Photocatalytic activity shows that TiO2/CuS nanocomposite having a molar ratio of (Cu = 0.25 M) exhibited the highest degradation of 78.35% in 60 min.