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

Al Saidi, Wafa Sarhan; Farooq, Saima; Al Dawery, Salam Kadhim; Al-Saadi, Mohammed; Maha Vishnu, Dunaboyina; Al Nairi, Badar; Al Amri, Issa Sulaiman; Al Harrasi, Ahmed Suliaiman Fadhil; Sajjala, Sreedhar Reddy

doi:10.22059/poll.2026.413052.3313

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

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

Wafa Sarhan Al Saidi ¹

Saima Farooq ¹

Salam Kadhim Al Dawery ²

Mohammed Al-Saadi ³

Dunaboyina Maha Vishnu ¹

Badar Al Nairi ¹

Issa sulaiman Al amri ¹

Ahmed Suliaiman Fadhil Al Harrasi ¹

sreedhar Reddy Sajjala ⁴

¹ Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, University of Nizwa, Nizwa-616, Oman

² Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, University of Nizwa, Nizwa-616, Oman

³ 3Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, University of Nizwa, Nizwa-616, Oman

⁴ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nizwa, 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