DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjahss.2026.v14i04.003

Pages: 158-169

In this study, polyaniline/zinc oxide/multi-walled carbon nanotube (PANI/ZnO/MWCNT) nanocomposites containing varying amounts of MWCNTs (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 g) were successfully synthesized via in situ oxidative polymerization combined with a co-precipitation method. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–visible spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic functional groups corresponding to PANI, ZnO, and MWCNTs, indicating successful composite formation. SEM images revealed homogeneous coating of ZnO and MWCNTs by the PANI matrix. Optical studies showed that incorporation of MWCNTs slightly reduced the band gap energy, enhancing light absorption. The photocatalytic performance of the nanocomposites was evaluated for the degradation of cinnarizine in aqueous solution under sunlight irradiation. The degradation efficiency increased with increasing MWCNT content, reaching a maximum of 86.1% using the composite containing 0.5 g MWCNTs at an initial cinnarizine concentration of 17 μg/mL after 40 minutes of irradiation. Kinetic analysis indicated pseudo-first-order behavior. These results demonstrate that PANI/ZnO/MWCNT nanocomposites are promising photocatalysts for the treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater.