Chemical Assembly of Copper Oxide and Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Enhanced Photocatalytic Dye Degradation under Solar Light Irradiation

We elaborate the synthesis and remarkable photocatalytic efficiency of a series of heterojunction nanocomposites with a cauliflower-like architecture composed of copper oxide (CuO) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The photocatalysts with such a peculiar design were constructed via facile recrystallization followed by calcination and were symbolized as CuO-SWCNT-1, CuO-SWCNT-2, and CuO-SWCNT-3, representing the components and calcination time in hours. The photocatalytic efficiency of the synthesized nanocomposite samples were investigated by evaluating the decomposition of methylene blue (MB) solution under natural sunlight exposure. All of the as-synthesized photocatalysts were substantially effectual for the photo-deterioration of MB solution. Moreover, CuO-SWCNT-3 revealed the top photocatalytic capability with 96% decomposition of MB solution in 2 h while being exposed to visible light. Pristine CuO nanocrystals and the SWCNTs were employed as controls, whereas the photocatalytic performance of the hetero-composites was significantly better than that of pure CuO as well as SWCNTs. The recyclability of the photocatalysts was also explored, and the results asserted that the samples could be reused for five cycles without being altered notably in photocatalytic performance or morphology.

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Hierarchical Nanocauliflower Chemical Assembly Composed of Copper Oxide and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Enhanced Photocatalytic Dye Degradation

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano11030696 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 696

Author(s):

Kamal Prasad Sapkota ◽

Md. Akherul Islam ◽

Md. Abu Hanif ◽

Jeasmin Akter ◽

Insup Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Visible Light ◽

Photocatalytic Performance ◽

Dye Degradation ◽

Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Calcination Time ◽

Photocatalytic Dye Degradation ◽

Cuo Nanocrystals ◽

Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Better Than

We present the fabrication and proficient photocatalytic performance of a series of heterojunction nanocomposites with cauliflower-like architecture synthesized from copper(II) oxide (CuO) nanocrystals and carbon nanotubes with single walls (SWCNTs). These unique photocatalysts were constructed via simplistic recrystallization succeeded by calcination and were labeled as CuOSC-1, CuOSC-2, and CuOSC-3 (representing the components; CuO and SC for SWCNTs, and the calcination time in hours). The photocatalytic potency of the fabricated nanocomposites was investigated on the basis of their capability to decompose methylene blue (MB) dye under visible-light irradiation. Every as-synthesized nanocomposite was effective photocatalyst for the photodecomposition of an MB solution. Moreover, CuOSC-3 exhibited the best photocatalytic activity, with 96% degradation of the visible-light irradiated MB solution in 2 h. Pure CuO nanocrystals generated through the same route and pure SWCNTs were used as controls, where the photocatalytic actions of the nanocomposite samples were found to be remarkably better than that of either the pure CuO or the pure SWCNTs. The recycling proficiency of the photocatalysts was also explored; the results disclosed that the samples could be applied for five cycles without exhibiting a notable change in photocatalytic performance or morphology.

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