Synthesis, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity of Prepared MWCNT/ZnO Nanocomposite as a Model of Dyes and Pharmaceutical Compounds Removal

Abstract

The photocatalytic decomposition of brilliant green (BG) dye under several conditions was studied using MWCNT/ZnO nanocomposite. Nanocomposites were prepared via utilizing a hydrothermal process. The MWCNT/ZnO nanocomposite properties were studied using techniques (FESEM, and EDX). The most important factors aff ected the photocatalytic process were studied, like mass of MWCNT/ZnO nanocomposite, concentration of brilliant green (BG) dye, light intensity. The results showed that the photolysis process was low at fi rst and then increased with time. From the results, the photocatalytic decomposition effi ciency increased with the surface weight MWCNT/ZnO nanocomposite of (0.1–0.4) g. This also showed that with an increase BG dye concentration, the photolysis effi ciency decreased, and showed that the photolysis effi ciency was improved by increasing the light intensity.