Preparation of a MWCNT/ZnO nanocomposite and its photocatalytic activity for the removal of cyanide from water using a laser.

Nano-zinc oxide (n-ZnO) was loaded onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via a hydrothermal process. Here pure n-ZnO used for loading was synthesized by the pulsed-laser ablation technique while MWCNTs were used as received. The synthesized MWCNT/ZnO nanocomposites were characterized using x-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. A model has been proposed for the structural nature of the alignment of ZnO on the surface of MWCNTs. The photocatalytic activity in the removal of highly toxic substances like cyanide (CN) was carried out in a special reactor using pulsed 355 nm UV generated by the third harmonic of an Nd:YAG laser. In order to understand the cyanide removal process, the study was carried out at different laser irradiation times, incident laser energies, pH of the solution and dosage of the MWCNT/ZnO nanocomposite. The study demonstrated that the CN removal process by MWCNT/ZnO composite has higher photocatalytic activity than pure n-ZnO and MWCNTs alone. The mechanism for the degradation using MWCNT/ZnO has been schematically explained. It was noticed that the oxidation process activity is affected by the pH of the solution, and after 20 min of UV laser irradiation, approximately 90% of CN had been degraded.