Magnetic Fe2O3/CNT nanocomposites: Characterization and photocatalytic application towards the degradation of Rose Bengal dye

In this work, hybrid nanocomposite materials for the wastewater treatment via photocatalysis have been developed by combining multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and hematite (a-Fe2O3).A straightforward strategy via sonication method has been used to prepare thea-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 a-Fe2O3 lattice. TEM revealed the well deposition of a-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the CNT surface. a-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 a-Fe2O3 and CNTs, which inhibits photo-generated charge carrier recombination and the formation of highly active radical species (OH center dot radicals, and O-2(center dot) 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.

Automated summary

Hybrid nanocomposite materials consisting of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and hematite (a-Fe2O3) were developed for wastewater treatment through photocatalysis. The nanocomposites were prepared using a sonication method and characterized using various techniques. The 10% a-Fe2O3/CNT nanocomposites exhibited higher photocatalytic activity with 87% degradation of Rose Bengal dye in 90 minutes. The enhanced activity was attributed to the synergistic effects of a-Fe2O3 and CNTs, which reduced charge carrier recombination and promoted the formation of highly active radical species on the CNT surface. This research is significant for understanding the photocatalytic mechanism and developing efficient photocatalysts for organic pollutant degradation.