Park, Jongik Lee, Hyungwook Lee, Keonku Noh, Sieun Jin, Soyeong Jae, Jungho Jeong, Youngdo Noh, Jaegeun 2024-01-19T09:04:20Z 2024-01-19T09:04:20Z 2023-08-02 2023-07 2079-4991 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/113517 Using renewable photocatalysts for pollutant degradation represents a promising approach to addressing environmental water challenges by harnessing solar energy without additional energy consumption. However, for the practical use of photocatalysts, it is necessary to improve catalyst efficiency, considering cost and biocompatibility. In this study, we developed a new superabsorbent photocatalyst for the degradation of organic dyes in water. Our photocatalyst comprises halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) with a large outer diameter and Si-O and Al-O groups on the outer and inner surfaces, respectively; graphene oxide (GO) possessing numerous sp2 bonds and light-conductive properties; and ZnO, which can degrade organic molecules via a photon source. By exploiting the superabsorbent properties of GOs for organic dyes and stabilizing ZnO nanoparticles on HNTs to inhibit aggregation, our photocatalysts demonstrated significantly improved degradability compared to ZnO nanoparticles alone and combinations of ZnO with HNTs or GO. The structural characteristics of the nanocomposites were characterized using SEM, EDX, Raman spectroscopy, and XRD. Their enhanced photocatalytic activity was demonstrated by the degradation of rhodamine b in water, showing 95% photodegradation under UV illumination for 60 min, while the ZnO nanoparticles showed only 56% dye degradation under the same condition. Additionally, the degradation rate was enhanced by four times. Furthermore, the catalysts maintained their initial activity with no significant loss after four uses, showing their potential for practical implementation in the mass purification of wastewater. English MDPI ZnO/Graphene Oxide on Halloysite Nanotubes as a Superabsorbent Nanocomposite Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Organic Dyes Article 10.3390/nano13131895 1 Nanomaterials, v.13, no.13 Nanomaterials 13 13 Y scie scopus 001028583000001 2-s2.0-85164659564 Chemistry, Multidisciplinary Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Physics, Applied Chemistry Science & Technology - Other Topics Materials Science Physics Article RHODAMINE-B DRIVEN PHOTODEGRADATION GRAPHENE OXIDE TIO2 ZNO NANOFIBERS NANOPARTICLES ENHANCEMENT EFFICIENCY REDUCTION photocatalyst halloysite nanotubes graphene oxide zinc oxide nanocomposite photocatalytic effect degradation organic dyes