MoCu bimetallic nanoalloy-modified copper molybdenum oxide with strong SPR properties; a 2D–0D system for enhanced degradation of antibiotics

2D copper molybdenum oxide-supported MoCu alloy nanoparticle photocatalysts are prepared via a facile hydrothermal and chemical reduction method. The MoCu nanocrystals with a size of less than 10 nm are formed through the reduction-alloying of metal ions and well dispersed on the surface of the copper molybdenum oxide nanoplates (CMO). The CMO/MoCu nanocomposite is shown to possess a 2D-0D structure, a z-scheme charge mobility pathway, and excellent photocatalytic performance in ciprofloxacin (CFX) and tetracycline (TC) degradation. The anchored MoCu alloy nanoparticles on the surface of CMO plates provide remarkable charge separation, large surface area, and numerous accessible active sites for producing reactive species. The 2D-0D CMO/MoCu composite showed the highest catalytic activity with the activation energy of – 0.640 and – 0.923 kJ mol -1 for CFX and TC, respectively. This research proposes a new strategy for the replacement of Pt, Au, and Ag-based photocatalytic systems with new nanoalloys of low-cost SPR metals. • 2D copper molybdenum oxide-supported MoCu alloy is prepared via hydrothermal and chemical reduction method. • The CMO/MoCu nanocomposite is shown to possess a 2D-0D structure. • The anchored MoCu nanoparticles on the CMO plates provide remarkable charge separation. • The composite has the highest catalytic activity and very low activation energy.