Synthesis and characterization of lamellar-like Cu₂(OH)₃NO₃ nanosheets integrated with Mg(OH)₂ nanoparticles heterojunction for photocatalytic activity

In this study, the different coloured Mg(OH)₂/Cu₂(OH)₃NO₃ nanocomposites were prepared by the facile co-precipitation method. The prepared white Mg(OH)₂ (MH), pale light-blue (MC-1), dark-brown (MC-2) and dim-grey (MC-3)-coloured Mg(OH)₂/Cu₂(OH)₃NO₃ nanocomposites were analysed by different characterization techniques. The XRD, FTIR and XPS analyses confirm the formation of MH, MC-1, MC-2 and MC-3. The optical properties were analysed via UV-DRS and the band gaps (E _g) of MH, MC-1, MC-2 and MC-3 were estimated to be 4.19, 3.2, 3.27 and 3.34 eV, respectively. The morphology of MH, MC-1 and MC-2 shows nanoparticle, lamellar-like nanosheet and nanoflakes structures. The prepared samples were used to study the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes under UV–Visible light. The prepared plane blue MC-1 catalyst achieved higher degradation efficiency (92% for RhB and 95% for MO) than other samples. The Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism was confirmed by scavenger activity. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]