Pulsed laser deposited Cu2O/CuO films as efficient photocatalyst

• CuO and Cu 2 O thin films are deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). • The films are deposited at different ambience and partial pressures. • The photocatalytic activity of PLD grown thin films have been carried out. • The distinct advantage of Nd:YAG laser for PLD deposition is illustrated. • Remarkable photocatalysis efficiency from CuO and Cu 2 O phases is reported. Cu 2 O and CuO films are deposited on a glass substrate by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique under different ambient environments and pressures. X-ray Diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy revealed that the films, synthesized at 2 Pa of N 2 ambient have Cu 2 O phase whereas the films synthesized at 2 Pa of O 2 ambient are of CuO. Field emission scanning electron microscopy shows uniform surface morphology of the samples with a film thickness of ∼ 200 nm. Optical band gaps of the samples are measured from optical absorption spectra in the UV and visible region. The direct band gaps for the deposited films are estimated to be 2.45 eV and 2.25 eV corresponding to Cu 2 O and CuO phases respectively. Using these films, photo-catalysis of methylene blue (MB) dye was performed under direct sunlight. Remarkable efficiency having reaction rate constant of 0.020 min − 1 with good recycling ability is exhibited by the samples.