Hydrothermal preparation of ZnO:CNT and TiO2:CNT composites and their photocatalytic applications

ZnO:CNT and TiO2:CNT composites were fabricated under mild hydrothermal conditions (T = 150-240 degrees C) with an autogenous pressure. The as prepared composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. Photocatalytic applications of the composites were investigated using indigo caramine dye. The effect of the catalyst content, pH of the medium, source and intensity of illumination on the photodegradation of the indigo caramine dye was studied and the efficiency of the composites were investigated based on different parameters like percent transmittance (%T), percent decomposition, and chemical oxygen demand of the dye solution to obtain optimum treatment conditions. The results obtained exhibit higher photocatalytic activity when compared to the reagent grade ZnO, TiO2 and hydrothermally prepared ZnO:AC and TiO2:AC composites.