Preparation, Characterization And Photocatalytic Properties Of Carbon Nanotubes-Supported ZnO Catalysts

In recent years, more and more researchers have focused on the study of the coating of CNTs. Due to their cylindrically layered and hollow tubule nanostructures and their high thermal and chemical stabilities, it is possible for CNTs to function as supports for the preparation of nanosized particle catalysts. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no report on the coating of CNTs with ZnO by sol method.In this study, the methods of the coating MWNTs with ZnO, the influence of some experimental parameters, such as experimental process, purification of CNTs, reaction time and the ratio of ZnO to CNTs, on the morphology of CNTs-supported ZnO and the photocatalytic properties of the obtained materials for the degradation of methyl orange were investigated. The thesis is composted of two parts. One is the preparation, characterization of CNTs-supported ZnO catalysts and the influence of some experimental parameters on the morphology of CNTs-supported ZnO. The other is the photodegradation of methyl orange.Sol method was used to synthesis CNTs-supported ZnO. During the process, ZnO sol was produced first. Then, CNTs were mixed with it by sonication and the mixture was finally heated. XRD results revealed that CNTs were coated by pure hexagonal wurtzite ZnO. TEM and SEM micrograph showed the CNTs were covered with uniform ZnO nanoparticles, and the morphology of ZnO nanoparticles on the surface of CNTs can be controlled by changing some experimental parameters.Photodegradation of methyl orange with CNTs-supported ZnO as a catalyst was also studied. For the methyl orange solution of 20mg/L, degradation efficiency can reach 98.9% with only 30 mg ZnO-CNTs catalysts after the UV light irradiation for 30 min. Furthermore, the phenomenon that CNTs can restrain the photoerosion of ZnO was observed.