Synthesis of carbon nanotube–iron oxide and silver nanocomposites as photocatalyst in removing carcinogenic aromatic dyes

Abstract

In this research, a three-component composite was synthesized by using carbon nanotube as the background phase. Iron oxide phase with high magnetization and low coercivity (with particle size of 200 nm) has been coated on the carbon nanotubes. Then, the silver nanoparticles were coated on a conductive and magnetized substrate by an ultrasonic method. Semiconductor photocatalys is a favorable route for the degradation of organic pollutants. Ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry has been used to investigate the photocatalytic properties of synthesized nanocomposite and control of their dye degradation on methyl blue, methyl orange and methyl red. The obtained nanocomposite is easily collected due to its magnetic property and does not pose a risk to environmental waters. The dye degradation degree has been compared for the produced nanocomposite. The experimental results confirmed that methyl red shows the greatest amount of degradation within 1 h, which was about 90 %, methyl orange shows about 80 %, and methyl blue shows the lowest degradation, around 60 %.