Characterization of Some Physical and Photocatalytic Properties of CuO Nanofilms Synthesized by a Gentle Chemical Technique

Pure and Li-doped CuO nanofilms were synthesized on heated glass substrates using the spray-pyrolysis technique. The deposited pure achieved at a precursor molarity of 0.2 M solution prepared from copper nitrate trihydrate (Cu(NO3)2·3H2O). Doped Li–CuO obtained several doping concentrations (3, 6, 9, 12 15%) by adding lithium (LiNO3). samples investigated different techniques. XRD revealed three dominant peaks (-111), (111) (211), which are properties monoclinic CuO. increase in Li-doping concentration showed appearance other low intensities detected 2θ ranging 49 to 68°. AFM images textured inhomogeneous surface composed spherical grains whose size decreased with increasing Li doping. UV–visible spectroscopy that transparency; transmittance was less than 50%. band-gap energy determined Tauc’s equation plot increased 2.157 3.728 eV These values correspond well band gap semiconducting photocatalytic accelerated doping, as discoloration aqueous methylene-blue (MB) under ultraviolet irradiation.