Synergistic Ce/Ag/N-doped ZnO-MWCNT Nanocomposites for Efficient Photocatalytic Wastewater Remediation with Visible Light

Abstract

The study reports an approach for enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO by co-doping with cerium (Ce), silver (Ag), and nitrogen (N), supported by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The Ce/Ag/N-doped ZnO-MWCNT nanocomposites were synthesized via a hydrothermal method, resulting in a significant reduction in the band gap from 3.19 eV to 2.89 eV. This change enabled higher visible light absorption, achieving enhanced photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of 92.12% for Congo red and 87.5% for Methylene blue within 80 minutes. Comprehensive characterization using XRD, FTIR, BET, and PL analyses revealed enhanced surface area, increased oxygen vacancies, and improved charge separation dynamics due to the synergistic effects of multi-element doping and MWCNT integration. The strategic incorporation of Ce, Ag, and N not only reduced the electron-hole recombination rate but also facilitated the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that crucial for efficient dye degradation. These findings indicate the significant potential of the synthesized nanocomposites as advanced photocatalysts for environmental remediation under visible light irradiation.