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<p>This study reports the synthesis of undoped and Zn-doped CuO thin films prepared with nominal Zn precursor concentrations of 3, 6, and 9 at.% using the sol–gel spin-coating technique. The influence of Zn incorporation on the structural, morphological, optical, and photocatalytic properties of CuO thin films was systematically investigated. The XRD results confirm that Zn incorporation preserves the monoclinic CuO phase while inducing slight lattice distortion and crystallite size reduction. AFM analysis reveals significant modification of the surface morphology and improved surface homogeneity upon Zn incorporation. Optical measurements indicate enhanced transparency and an increase in the optical band gap from 2.20 to 2.50&#xa0;eV, suggesting Zn-induced modification of the electronic structure and defect states. Photoluminescence analysis further demonstrates the influence of Zn incorporation on defect-related charge carrier recombination processes. Photocatalytic measurements reveal that the CuO thin film prepared with a nominal Zn concentration of 6 at.% exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity, achieving more than 96% degradation of methylene blue under sunlight irradiation within 180&#xa0;min. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to the combined effects of structural modification, defect-mediated charge separation, improved surface homogeneity, and reduced charge carrier recombination. Overall, the present study demonstrates that controlled Zn incorporation is an effective approach for tuning the physicochemical and photocatalytic properties of CuO thin films for sunlight-driven environmental remediation applications.</p>

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Structural, Optical and Photocatalytic Interplay in Zn-Doped CuO Thin Films

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月6日

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  • Khouloud Benotmane,
  • Soufiane Benhamida,
  • Benkrima Yamina,
  • Zineb Azzaoui,
  • Besra Safa,
  • Ahlem Guesmi,
  • Lotfi Khezami,
  • Mamoun Fellah

摘要

This study reports the synthesis of undoped and Zn-doped CuO thin films prepared with nominal Zn precursor concentrations of 3, 6, and 9 at.% using the sol–gel spin-coating technique. The influence of Zn incorporation on the structural, morphological, optical, and photocatalytic properties of CuO thin films was systematically investigated. The XRD results confirm that Zn incorporation preserves the monoclinic CuO phase while inducing slight lattice distortion and crystallite size reduction. AFM analysis reveals significant modification of the surface morphology and improved surface homogeneity upon Zn incorporation. Optical measurements indicate enhanced transparency and an increase in the optical band gap from 2.20 to 2.50 eV, suggesting Zn-induced modification of the electronic structure and defect states. Photoluminescence analysis further demonstrates the influence of Zn incorporation on defect-related charge carrier recombination processes. Photocatalytic measurements reveal that the CuO thin film prepared with a nominal Zn concentration of 6 at.% exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity, achieving more than 96% degradation of methylene blue under sunlight irradiation within 180 min. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to the combined effects of structural modification, defect-mediated charge separation, improved surface homogeneity, and reduced charge carrier recombination. Overall, the present study demonstrates that controlled Zn incorporation is an effective approach for tuning the physicochemical and photocatalytic properties of CuO thin films for sunlight-driven environmental remediation applications.