Synthesis of Ag-modified ZnO/MWCNT nanoparticles and their application as a catalyst in the degradation of methylene blue.

Ag-ZnO/MWCNT composites were obtained by microwave-assisted, varying-charge synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The structural, morphological and optical properties were characterized by: XRD, SEM, TEM, Physisorption of N2 and UVVis. The incorporation of Ag ions and MWNTC caused changes in the structure tension and in the average crystallite size of ZnO. The micrographs revealed that ZnO agglomerates were distributed on the MWNTC and that Ag particles were deposited on the surface of the heterostructure, thus the energy gap decreased. The percentages of degradation of methylene blue were 98 and 75% under ultraviolet and visible radiation, respectively, in the Ag-ZnO/CNT composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]