Annete Gabriella Nuraliya, Osi Arutanti, Riser Fahdiran, Maykel Manawan, Rahmat Setiawan Mohar, Rike Yudianti, Akrajas Ali Umar, Iwan Sugihartono
ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and ZnO/CuO nanocomposites (NCs) were successfully produced using the co-precipitation technique, aimed at creating photocatalysts that can degrade tetracycline (TC) under visible light exposure. The influence of CuO content (0, 5, 10, and 15 at%) on the structural, surface, morphological, optical characteristics, and photocatalytic efficiency was examined. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed the presence of ZnO and CuO, which exhibited hexagonal and monoclinic crystal structures, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the ZnO NPs and ZnO/CuO NCs were spherical and showed signs of agglomeration. The analysis of optical properties indicated that ZnO NPs displayed strong absorption in the ultraviolet range. Meanwhile, the absorption shifted significantly to the visible range when combined with CuO NPs. The assessment of photocatalytic activity indicated that the optimal performance was observed in ZnO/CuO NCs with 5 at% CuO, achieving a tetracycline degradation of 95.71% (C/Co) within 2 h under solar simulator light. The photocatalytic test that included radical scavengers indicated that holes (h+) were the primary species involved in the degradation of TC. A reusability experiment conducted over five cycles demonstrated that photocatalysts experienced only a 15% (C/Co) reduction in TC degradation. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026.
Program Studi Fisika, FMIPA, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Rawamangun, Jakarta, 13220, Indonesia; Research Center for Chemistry, National Research and Innovation Agency, Banten, 15314, Indonesia; Research Center for Advanced Materials, National Research and Innovation Agency, Banten, 15314, Indonesia; Research Center for Photonics, National Research and Innovation Agency, Banten, 15314, Indonesia; Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia; Study Program of Propulsion Technology, Faculty of Defense Science and Technology, Indonesia Defense University, Tajur, 16810, Indonesia
Research at a Glance
Register to unlock
Topics & SDG Alignment
Register to unlock
Collaboration
Register to unlock
Author Profile (Selected)
Register to unlock
References Overview
Register to unlock
Journal & Source
Register to unlock
Metadata & Integrity
Register to unlock