Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Tunable CuO Nanostructures for Photocatalytic Detoxification of Eosin Yellow Dye

ABSTRACT In this study, we report the microwave‐assisted synthesis of morphology‐controlled cupric oxide (CuO) nanostructures using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as morphology‐controlling agents. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the prepared CuO nanostructures are thoroughly investigated using XRD, FTIR, FESEM, EDX, PL, and UV–vis spectroscopy. XRD analysis revealed the development of monoclinic CuO with different crystallinity. FESEM analysis showed that the CuO synthesized in the absence of an organic modifier exhibited a flake‐like nanostructure, whereas the use of PEG and EDTA as morphology controllers resulted in the formation of spherical and rod‐like nanostructures, respectively. The photocatalytic test was conducted on eosin yellow dye degradation using the synthesized CuO nanostructures under visible light for 120 min. The shape‐dependent photocatalytic degradation of eosin yellow dye by the synthesized CuO nanostructures was observed with the respective degradation efficiencies of 81.70%, 95.50%, and 98.13% for flake‐like, spherical, and rod‐like nanostructures. Hence, morphology‐controlled synthesis plays a key role in optimizing the photocatalytic performance of CuO nanostructures, making them more effective for environmental remediation.