In this work, hybrid nanocomposite materials for the wastewater treatment via photocatalysis have been developed by combining multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and hematite (α-Fe2O3).A straightforward strategy via sonication method has been used to prepare theα-Fe2O3/CNT nanocomposites with varying CNT content (5%, 7.5%, and 10%)and characterized by X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and UV–Vis. spectrophotometer. XPS spectra was used to identify the defects/oxygen vacancies in the α-Fe2O3 lattice. TEM revealed the well deposition of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the CNT surface. α-Fe2O3/CNT 10% nanocomposites have higher photocatalytic activity with 87% degradation of Rose Bengal dye in 90 min. The increased photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the synergistic contribution of α-Fe2O3 and CNTs, which inhibits photo-generated charge carrier recombination and the formation of highly active radical species (OH• radicals, and O2• radicals) on the surface of CNTs. This research may be useful not only for understanding the photocatalytic mechanism, but also for developing efficient photocatalysts for the organic pollutant degradation.
Read full abstract