Structural, Morphological, and Optical Properties of Zn-Doped Cu2O for the Removal of Dyes and Antibiotics from Aqueous Media

Hoang Van Thanh; Nguyen Doan Tung Quan; Dinh Thi Ngoc Minh; Le Thi Minh Cham; Nguyen Dang Co; Trinh Duc Thien; Mai Van Tuan; Nguyen Dinh Lam

doi:10.15625/0868-3166/24092

Author affiliations

Authors

Hoang Van Thanh Faculty of Engineering Physics and Nanotechnology, VNU-University of Engineering and Technology https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6077-9717
Nguyen Doan Tung Quan Faculty of Engineering Physics and Nanotechnology, VNU-University of Engineering and Technology
Dinh Thi Ngoc Minh Faculty of Engineering Physics and Nanotechnology, VNU-University of Engineering and Technology
Le Thi Minh Cham Faculty of Engineering Physics and Nanotechnology, VNU-University of Engineering and Technology https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6786-0985
Nguyen Dang Co Faculty of Engineering Physics and Nanotechnology, VNU-University of Engineering and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9639-1274
Trinh Duc Thien Faculty of Physics, Hanoi National University of Education https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2323-8441
Mai Van Tuan Faculty of Natural Sciences, Electric Power University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4088-2955
Nguyen Dinh Lam Faculty of Engineering Physics and Nanotechnology, VNU-University of Engineering and Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/0868-3166/24092

Keywords:

Zn-doped Cu2O; cuprous oxide; photocatalysis; sulfamethoxazole; rhodamine B

Abstract

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of zinc (Zn)-doped cuprous oxide nanoparticles, denoted as Zn_xCu₂O, prepared by a room-temperature co-precipitation method. The Zn doping content was varied from 0 to 30%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that the nanoparticles predominantly exhibit the cubic Cu₂O phase. With increasing Zn content, the crystallite size gradually decreased, consistent with changes in lattice parameters and microstrain. Raman and FTIR analyses verified successful Zn incorporation, revealing modifications in Cu-O vibrational modes and the emergence of Zn-O bonding features. FE-SEM observations showed reduced particle size and increased agglomeration at higher Zn doping levels, in agreement with XRD results. Optically, the band gap energy (E_g) increased at low Zn doping due to the Burstein–Moss effect, then decreased at higher doping levels because of secondary ZnO phase formation. Photocatalytic experiments demonstrated that the sample with an optimal Zn content of 10% (x = 0.1) exhibited superior degradation performance toward common organic pollutants, including Rhodamine B, ciprofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole. These results highlight the strong potential of Zn_xCu₂O nanomaterials for wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.

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