Catalytic performance of NiO nanoparticles decorated carbon nanotubes via one-pot laser ablation method against methyl orange dye

NiO-CNTs nanocomposite was prepared by the decoration of CNTs by NiO nanoparticles via eco-friendly pulsed laser ablation method based on nanosecond Nd:YAG laser to be applied in the removal of methyl orange (MO) dye. The preparation and the decoration of NiO nanoparticles were carried out in a single step without any by-product via pulsed laser ablation method. The nanocomposite was characterized by different analytical techniques such as FT-IR, TEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and EDX. These techniques confirmed the formation of NiO in the nanoscale range (spherical shape) with a particle size of about 20 nm without the formation of any other by-product. Moreover, the examination of the interaction between NiO nanoparticles and CNTs showed a shift in their peaks, while the examination of its surface showed an increase in the amounts of defects and appearance of spherical shape from NiO on the surface of CNTs. Then, the efficiency of removal MO was investigated in visible light in the absence of any reducing agent with the assistance of the prepared nanocomposite to investigate the capability to be used as adsorbent materials. The results showed a high adsorption ability of NiO-CNTs nanocomposite against MO due to both, the large surface area of CNTs and the catalytic activity of NiO nanoparticles.