Bandgap Optimization in N-Doped Ag-Enhanced ZnO-MWCNT Nanocomposites for Improved Absorption

The present work reports the performance of nitrogen-doped Ag/ZnO/MWCNT nanocomposites, leveraging a microwave-assisted hydrothermal approach to modulate the bandgap via silver (Ag) doping variations. Employing transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), photoluminescence (PL), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), UV-visible-NIR spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), the study characterizes the nanocomposites’ optical and structural properties. Notably, the bandgap narrows from 3.18 to 2.52 eV with increasing Ag content, enhancing photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and congo red dyes by up to 97 and 89%, respectively. These findings reveal the potential of Ag/ZnO/MWCNT nanocomposites in environmental and optoelectronic applications.