Synthesis, Adsorptive, and Photocatalytic Properties of Carbon Nanotubes/TiO2 Nanocomposite Photocatalysts

Abstract

The carbon nanotubes/TiO₂ (CNTs/TiO₂) composite photocatalysts composed of TiO₂ nanoparticles and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. The photocatalysts were characterized by a range of analytical techniques including X-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, thermal gravimetric analysis and UV–Vis optical absorption spectra, etc. The amount of TiO₂ nanoparticles growing on CNTs could be tuned by adjusting the dosage of precursor in the reaction solution. Both the adsorptivity and photocatalytic activities of pure CNTs, pure TiO₂, and the CNTs/TiO₂ nanocomposites were tested by the removal of methylene blue from water in dark and under a simulated sunlight, respectively. By comparison, the improved photocatalytic activity of the CNTs/TiO₂ nanocomposite is mainly due to that the CNTs can disperse the active component of TiO₂ nanoparticles, provide a larger the specific surface area, as well as act as an electron sink to accelerate the separation of the photogenerated charges.