Copper zinc tin sulfide and multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite for visible-light-driven photocatalytic applications

• Published in: Materials research bulletin 2022-02, Vol.146, p.111606, Article 111606
• Main Authors: Mudike, Ravi, Sabbanahalli, Chetana, Sriramoju, Jagadeesh Babu, Bheemaraju, Amarnath, Halligudra, Guddappa, Muniyappa, Murthy, Narayanaswamy, Manikanta P., CS, Ananda Kumar, Shivaramu, Prasanna D., Rangappa, Dinesh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CZTS nanoparticles; CZTS-MWCNT nanocomposites; Hydrothermal method; Methylene blue; Photocatalyst
• ISSN: 0025-5408; 1873-4227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2021.111606

•Under visible light illumination, the effect of MWCNT in CZTS-MWCNT NCs on photocatalytic degradation efficiency was investigated.•Enhanced the photocatalytic activity in CZTS-MWCNT NCs.•In CZTS-6 wt% MWCNT NCs, the reaction rate constant is two times higher than in CZTS NPs. Photocatalytic activity of hydrothermally synthesized CZTS-MWCNT hetero structured NCs was investigated here. The CZTS NPs and CZTS-MWCNT NCs of varying MWCNT contents (3 wt%, 6 wt% and 9 wt%) were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, Raman and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The TEM image confirmed that the CZTS NPs are anchored to MWCNTs. From the UV–Vis spectroscopy, the optimum optical band gap of CZTS-6 wt% MWCNT NCs was found 1.4 eV and exhibited higher absorption than CZTS NPs. Under visible light radiation, photocatalytic dye degradation of methylene blue studies revealed a 19% higher photodegradation efficiency for CZTS-6 wt% MWCNT NCs than CZTS NPs. CZTS-6 wt% MWCNT NCs achieved a reaction rate constant of 0.012 min−1, which is twice that of CZTS NPs. Because of the optimal bandgap of CZTS and the rapid charge carrier mobility of MWCNTs, CZTS-MWCNT NCs have the advantage of enhancing photocatalytic activity over CZTS NPs. [Display omitted]