N-doped ZnO-CuO nanocomposite prepared by one-step ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and its photocatalytic activity

Abstract Nanocomposite thin film of N-doped ZnO-CuO was deposited on glass substrate using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method. Zinc acetate, copper acetate and ammonium acetate with different molar ratios were dissolved in water and used as precursors. A crumpled-shape morphology consisting of nanometer-sized particles was observed with FESEM. The elemental composition was evaluated with EDX analysis and the presence of nitrogen, oxygen, copper and zinc was confirmed. XRD analysis revealed the presence of ZnO and CuO crystalline phases with crystallite size of about 18 nm. The prepared nanocomposites exhibited high photocatalytic activity in degradation of methyl orange under UV light irradiation.