Rapid conjunction of 1D carbon nanotubes and 2D graphitic carbon nitride with ZnO for improved optoelectronic properties

Abstract

Conjunction of 1D as well as 2D carbonaceous materials (CMs) is of great importance because of the significant improvement in the optoelectronic properties. Through extensive optimization, a rapid, facile and heat-treatment free route is progressed which ensues 88.4 and 92.3% degradation of congo-red dye for CNTs/ZnO and g-C3N4/ZnO, respectively. g-C3N4/ZnO shows the highest value of correlation co-efficient (R-2) (0.9927) and rate constant (K-C) (0.0390 min(-1)) among all others. g-C3N4/ZnO-HPs(4) displays the highest potential of 1.54 V and over potential of 310 mV for current density value of 10 mA/cm(2) compared to others composite while CNTs/ZnO-HPs(4) Tafel slope has a value of 42 mV/dec. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry and energy dispersive spectrometry were carried out to confirm the efficacy of nano-composites while electron LSV, Tafel slopes and Nyquist plots were plotted to reveal the consequent efficient electro-catalytic behavior. The modified recipe for the development of nanocomposites having CMs exhibited its potential for use in multiple engineering applications, including but not limited to photocatalysis and oxygen evolution reaction.