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Low-Temperature Fabrication of a CuO/CNT Nanocomposite Derived from CNTs Grown on Activated Carbon for Visible-Light-Driven Dye Degradation

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors
Wafa Sarhan Al Saidi 1, 2
Saima Farooq 1
Salam Kadhim Al Dawery 3
Mohammed Al-Saadi 3
Dunaboyina Sri Maha Vishnu 1
Badar Al Nairi 2
Issa Sulaiman Al Amri 1
Ahmed Suliaiman Fadhil Al Harrasi 2
Sreedhar Reddy Sajjala 4
1 Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, University of Nizwa, Nizwa-616, Oman
2 Natural and Medicinal Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa-616, Oman
3 Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, University of Nizwa, Nizwa-616, Oman
4 Department of Civil and environmental Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, University of Nizwa, Nizwa-616, Oman
10.22059/poll.2026.413052.3313
Abstract
This study presents a facile synthesis of a CuO/CNT nanocomposite using pristine CNTs grown on powdered activated carbon at a low temperature of 250 °C, demonstrating efficient visible-light dye degradation under 6 W LED irradiation. Detailed material characterization confirmed the formation of well-dispersed CuO nanoparticles (7–12 nm) clustered around CNTs and exhibiting a tube-like morphology (50–120 nm), which enhanced structural stability and catalytic performance. The CuO/CNT nanocomposite exhibited high photocatalytic efficiency, achieving 90% degradation of Methyl Green (MG) and 67% degradation of Methyl Orange (MO) within 180 minutes under visible-light irradiation. Kinetic studies revealed that the dye degradation followed a pseudo-first-order model, with rate constants of 0.0081 min⁻¹ for MG and 0.005 min⁻¹ for MO. The incorporation of CNTs enhanced charge separation, light absorption, and reaction kinetics, thereby overcoming the limitations of pure CuO. These findings indicate that CuO/CNT is an efficient and economical photocatalyst for degrading organic pollutants in wastewater treatment applications, contributing to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Keywords
CuO/CNT Nanocomposite Photocatalytic degradation
Wastewater Treatment
SDG
Advanced Oxidation Processes
Subjects
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Pollution
Volume 12, Issue 3
Summer 2026
Pages 953-970