Polyaniline modified Cu2+-Bi2O3 nanoparticles: Preparation and photocatalytic activity for Rhodamine B degradation

•PANI-modified Cu2+-Bi2O3 nanoparticles with varying compositions were synthesized using a simple chemical adsorption method.•Highly crystalline nanoparticles possessing sizes in the range of 30-40 nm were obtained.•The PCB-5 composite (5 wt. % of PANI) showed the best results in degradation (97.21% in 30 min) with a rate constant of 0.113min−1.•Holes and superoxide anion radicals played the most prominent role in the degradation process.