Title:Preparation of Carbon Nanotubes-Supported CuMn2O4
Nanocomposites for Highly Efficient Degradation of Methylene
Blue Dye
Volume: 16
Issue: 5
Author(s): Xuyi Chen, Tianlu Chen, Nady Fathy and Yousheng Tao*
Affiliation:
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University,
Chengdu, 610065, China
- MNR Key Laboratory of Salt Lake Resources and Environment, Institute
of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
Keywords:
Carbon nanotubes, characterization, composite, copper manganese oxide (CuMn2O4), degradation, dye, synthesis.
Abstract:
Background: Waste water containing dyes causes serious environmental problems in
both aesthetic and toxicological aspects. Although physicochemical and biological treatment
processes have been investigated, functional materials are highly demanded for improving the
removal efficiency of dye from wastewater.
Objective: To synthesize a heterojunction nanocomposite of CuMn2O4/carbon nanotubes
(CNTs) with outstanding catalytic performance for the effective degradation of methylene blue
(MB) dye.
Methods: Copper manganese oxide-carbon nanotubes (CuMn2O4/CNTs) nanocomposite was
prepared by a solvothermal method. The structure and morphology of the samples were characterized
with X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission
electron microscopic (TEM), and nitrogen adsorption/desorption on the samples at 77 K. The
degradation of methylene blue dye was studied using the prepared nanocomposite as a catalyst.
Results: CuMn2O4 of small particles was loaded on CNTs, forming a porous structure with a
specific surface area of 43.5 m2/g and a total pore volume of 0.17 cm3/g. The optimum conditions
for achieving full breakdown in 10 minutes are 1g/L of catalyst dosage and a range of initial
concentrations at 50-100 mg/L of MB dye at pH 4.
Conclusion: The synthesized CuMn2O4/CNTs nanocomposite exhibited a good prospect as catalyst
materials for the decontamination of wastewater polluted with dyes.
