Aim <p>This work investigates the development and visible-light-driven photocatalytic behavior of PbCuZnO nanocomposites for degrading Rhodamine B dye. The study emphasizes how multi-metal incorporation influences the structural, optical, and functional characteristics of the synthesized materials.</p> Materials and methods <p>PbCuZnO nanocomposites containing 2 and 4% of Pb-Cu were prepared using a sol-gel assisted combustion method. Their structural, morphological, and elemental features were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, SEM, and EDX. Optical responses were examined through UV-visible spectroscopy and Tauc’s plots. Photocatalytic efficiency under visible light was assessed using Rhodamine B as the target contaminant, and kinetic parameters were extracted using pseudo-first-order models.</p> Results <p>XRD patterns confirmed the retention of the wurtzite ZnO structure with slight lattice distortions arising from Pb and Cu incorporation. SEM images showed nanostructured morphologies, and FTIR spectra verified the formation of metal–oxygen bonds. UV-visible measurements revealed a red-shift in absorption with dopant concentration, accompanied by band gap changes from 3.01&#xa0;eV PbCuZnO (2%) to 3.2&#xa0;eV PbCuZnO (4%). Photocatalytic experiments indicated improved Rhodamine B degradation performance, with the 4% (~ 95%-efficiency) doped sample displaying the highest activity compared to 2% of PbCuZnO, showing ~ 75% and a reaction rate constant of 0.031&#xa0;min⁻¹. Radical-scavenging tests suggested that ·OH and ·O_z⁻ species play dominant roles in the degradation mechanism.</p> Significance <p>The synergistic incorporation of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ enhances visible-light absorption, promotes charge-carrier separation, and improves the structural robustness of ZnO, yielding an efficient and reusable photocatalyst. These PbCuZnO nanocomposites therefore show strong potential for practical wastewater treatment and environmental clean-up applications.</p>