Here, we report the stable and surfactant-free CuxAg1−xS composites as nanorod clusters was fabricated by a simple hydrothermal method for the degradation of pesticides including malathion (MLT), monocrotophos (MCP), and chlorpyrifos (CPS) under ultraviolet (UV) light. The degradation of MLT, MCP, and CPS using Cu0.5Ag0.5S were up to 97% after 1 h of UV irradiation. The Cu0.5Ag0.5S nanorods displayed enhanced photocatalytic activity and the rate of degradation was higher than that of pure CuS and Ag2S due to an efficient electron transfer process. The stability and reusability assays indicated that the Cu0.5Ag0.5S retained more than 90% of activity after five cycles of use. The photocatalytic mechanism was explored from the obtained results of enhanced photocatalytic activity of CuxAg1−xS nanorod clusters.
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