Titania containing natural clay doped with carbon nanotubes for enhanced natural photocatalytic discoloration of wastewater

Water contamination with dyes is harmful to humans and the environment. This study investigated photocatalytic activity of natural clay (GOL) mixed carbon nanotubes (CNT) for removal brilliant black (BB) in wastewater. The materials were characterized FESEM-EDS, XRD, XRF, FTIR UV-vis DRS. contains 2.34 % TiO2 which 75% more than most clays. SEM showed that CNT well dispersed clay. DRS spectra two absorption bands above 380 nm. GOL has decreased significantly energy band gaps from 2.75 3.25 eV 1.53 2.90 10% CNT–GOL, respectively. Photocatalytic was enhanced degradation BB increased 66 95% CNT–GOL respectively after 45 min visible light irradiation. improvement can be attributed synergy interface heterojunction CNT. presence reduces e− h+ (e− / h+) pairs recombination facilitates production reactive oxygen species responsible decay dye. addition H2O2 experiment (2 mmoL) confirmed role holes hydroxyl radicals. Eighty-five percent content removed suggesting mineralization occurred. After irradiation, kinetic studies followed a second-order reaction R2 = 0.997. Therefore, clay–CNT nanocomposites applied treat containing wastewaters.