Co3O4 supported on MWCNT: A highly efficient nano composite for the adsorption of Coracryl yellow dye and in the reduction of 4-Nitrophenol

In present study, a Co3O4@MWCNT nanocomposites were synthesized using simple chemical reduction method. The impurity investigation of as-synthesized Co3O4@MWCNT composites were carried by using XRD and FTIR. The surface morphology of Co3O4@MWCNT composites shows nanowires-like morphology with different diameter of wires. The structure of these nanowires was also confirmed using TEM. The nanowire-like morphology of the composite was found to play an important role in the catalytic activity of the materials. The catalytic activity of the Co3O4@MWCNT composite was evaluated with the adsorption of coracryl yellow dye and the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. It was revealed that the targeted 10% Co3O4@MWCNT composite had an excellent efficiency of catalytic adsorption of coaryl dye within 4 min and complete reduction of 4-nitrophenol within 7 min. It is thus suggested that the increased catalytic activity may be attributed to the nanowire-like morphology, crystallinity, and interface structure of the Co3O4@MWCNT composite.