This study revealed the preparation of Ni-doped ZnO/ MWCNTs nanocomposite as a photocatalyst for degradation of norfloxacin as quinolone under UV and visible light irradiations. The chemical synthesis method was used for functionalization of MWCNTs to prepare Ni-doped ZnO/MWCNTs nanocomposite. SEM and XRD analyses of the nanocomposite revealed that it was composed of Nidoped ZnO spherical nanoparticles attached to a tangled network of MWCNTs. EIS and CV studies revealed that Ni-doped ZnO/MWCNTs composites had improved interfacial charge transfer efficiency. Optical studies revealed that the band gap energy for Ni-doped ZnO/MWCNTs nanocomposites was 2.90 eV, and anchoring Ni into the MWCNTs and ZnO lattices resulted in a narrowing of the nanocomposite band gap. The photocatalytic studies revealed that after 30, 60, 120, and 160 minutes of visible irradiation, respectively, and 40, 70, 150, and 200 minutes of UV irradiation, respectively, complete degradation of 10, 20, 50, and 100 mg/l of norfloxacin was obtained. Results indicated that the synergetic effect of functionalized MWCNTs and Ni NPs in anocomposite caused the band gap to narrow and could provide higher redox abilities under visible light irradiation and enhance the range of a sensitization process due to form facile electron transfer and the heterojunction formation.
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