Synthesis and characterization of CNTs-ZnO nanocomposites from the hydrothermal method at lower temperature

Carbon nanotubes-zinc oxide (CNTs-ZnO) hybrid nanocomposites have paid the attention for catalysis, energy storage systems, Chemo-sensors and Bio-sensors due to high specific surface area, corrosion resistance, good electronic conductivity, an excellent mechanical and chemical properties [1,2]. ZnO, a wide bandgap (3.37 eV) and large excitonic binding energy (60 MeV) with a most stable CNTs have shown an extraordinary photocatalytic properties [3]. In this study, we synthesized CNTs-ZnO nanocomposite from the hydrothermal method by using inline Teflon autoclave at 130 °C. Microstructural properties of CNTs-ZnO nanocomposite were determined from X-ray diffractometer, FE-SEM, TEM, respectively. The bandgap engineering of CNTs-ZnO was estimated from UV-Vis absorption spectra, where the bandgap tailored a little with the addition of CNTs. SEM-images of CNTs, ZnO nanoparticles, and CNTs-ZnO are given in figures 1 (a-c). Fig. 1(a) shows the image of cleaved CNT that looks like the cylindrical image. Fig. 1 (c) shows the compact image of CNTs-ZnO. The prepared nanocomposite will be useful to treat the drainage water and eliminate the contamination in the presence of sunlight. Fig.1. FE-SEM images of (a) Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), (b) Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), (c) CNTs-ZnO nanocomposites.