Hydrothermal Synthesis of ZnO@MnO₂‑Montmorillonite Nanocomposites: Influence of Molarity on Structural, Optical, and Photocatalytic Performance toward Ciprofloxacin Degradation under Variable Conditions.

ABSTRACT: In this work, a series of ZnO@MnO₂-montmorillonite nanocomposites was successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal route using NaOH solutions at varying molarities (3-9 M) and evaluated for their structural, optical, morphological, and photocatalytic properties, with specific application in ciprofloxacin degradation. Structural investigation confirmed the coexistence of pure ZnO (hexagonal), MnO₂ (tetragonal), and montmorillonite phases and showed molarity-dependent variations in crystallite size, from 34 nm (ZMM5) to 7 nm (ZMM9), and dislocation density, which ranged from 0.0009 to 0.0180 nm^-2. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra evidenced the progressive occupation of montmorillonite OH sites by metal oxides. At the same time, photolumin

SUBMITTER: Bezerra E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12489627 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature