Photocatalytic reduction of aqueous mercury(II) using multi-walled carbon nanotubes/Pd-ZnO nanocomposite

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 2014 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2013.10.031· OSTI ID:22345203

Abdel Salam, Mohamed ^[1]

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1. Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80200, Jeddah 21589 (Saudi Arabia)

Highlights: • MWCNT/Pd-ZnO were used for photocatalytic reduction of Hg{sup 2+}. • Photocatalytic reduction of Hg{sup 2+} was dependent on wt% of MWCNT, reaction time, and weight of catalyst. • Catalyst re-use revealed the present photocatalyst remain effective and active after five, cycles. - Abstract: Pd-ZnO nanocatalyst supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes was successfully synthesized via a modified sol–gel method, and the prepared photocatalyst was used for the environmental remediation of aqueous Hg(II) via photocatalytic reduction under visible light. The prepared MWCNTs/Pd/ZnO nanocomposite photocatalyst was characterized using X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), transmission electron microscopy, and UV–vis spectra (UV–vis). The results showed that both Pd and ZnO nanoparticles were well dispersed over the MWCNTs, and a uniform nanocomposite was formed. The results also illustrated that Pd doping can eliminate the recombination of electron-hole pairs in the catalyst, and the presence of MWCNTs in ZnO composite can change surface properties to achieve sensitivity to visible light. The results demonstrated that optimum mass ratio of CNT:ZnO:Pd were 0.04:1.0:0.08, which resulted in the exceptional performance of the photocatalyst to reduce about 100% of Hg(II) in a 100 mg L solution within 30 min.

• OSTI ID: 22345203
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin Vol. 50; ISSN MRBUAC; ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
CARBON NANOTUBES
MERCURY
NANOPARTICLES
SENSITIVITY
SOL-GEL PROCESS
SOLUTIONS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
ZINC OXIDES