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As the population increases, water scarcity has become a major concern. Therefore, the removal and detection of heavy metals and dyes are essential in modern society. This investigation aimed to authenticate the augmented photocatalytic and sensing capabilities of synthesized ZnO and Cu-doped ZnO (Cu–ZnO) nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple precipitation technique. The structural and morphological charecteristics of ZnO and Cu–ZnO nanoparticles were assessed through a comprehensive characterization techniques (XRD, XPS, HRTEM). According to the characterization findings, the average crystallite size was determined to be 10 nm for ZnO and 12.8 nm for Cu–ZnO, exhibiting a well-defined crystalline structure. The investigation of photocatalytic activity conducted by varying concentrations of synthesized nanomaterials, demonstrates an improved decomposition of Amaranth dye 93.32%, attributed to the presence of Cu as a dopant. The effectiveness of the synthesized nanomaterials in detecting lead has been demonstrated through multiple electrochemical studies by utilizing a three-electrode system. The electrochemical investigations revealed that the incorporation of Cu into ZnO nanoparticles effectively enhanced the sensing capacity for detecting lead when compared to the sensing capacity of ZnO nanoparticles.