Hydrothermal synthesis of carbon nanotube–titania composites for enhanced photocatalytic performance

Nanosized, well-dispersed titania particles were synthesized via a hydrothermal method using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as structural modifiers during the nucleation process to decrease aggregation. Synthesized TiO2/MWCNT composites containing different amounts of MWCNTs were characterize...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of materials research 2020-06, Vol.35 (11), p.1451-1460
Main Authors: Everhart, Brian M., Baker-Fales, Montgomery, McAuley, Bailey, Banning, Eric, Almkhelfe, Haider, Back, Tyson C., Amama, Placidus B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetaldehyde
Applied and Technical Physics
Biomaterials
Carbon
Catalytic activity
Composite materials
Crystal structure
Electrons
Hydrothermal crystal growth
Inorganic Chemistry
Materials Engineering
Materials research
Materials Science
Morphology
Multi wall carbon nanotubes
Nanoparticles
Nanotechnology
Nucleation
Particle size
Performance evaluation
Photocatalysis
Photoelectrons
Porosity
Rate constants
Spectrum analysis
Synergistic effect
Synthesis
Titanium dioxide
VOCs
Volatile organic compounds
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Summary:Nanosized, well-dispersed titania particles were synthesized via a hydrothermal method using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as structural modifiers during the nucleation process to decrease aggregation. Synthesized TiO2/MWCNT composites containing different amounts of MWCNTs were characterized using N2 physisorption, XRD, spectroscopic techniques (Raman, UV-visible, and X-ray photoelectron), and electron microscopy to illuminate the morphology, crystal structure, and surface chemistry of the composites. Photocatalytic performance was evaluated by measuring the degradation of acetaldehyde in a batch reactor under UV illumination. Average rate constants decrease in the following order: TiO2/MWCNT-1% > TiO2 > TiO2/MWCNT-5%. Addition of MWCNTs beyond the optimum loading ratio of 1:100 (MWCNT:TiO2) diminishes the effectiveness of the photocatalyst and the synergistic effect between MWCNTs and TiO2. The primary mechanism for photocatalytic activity enhancement in TiO2/MWCNT-1% is thought to be due to increased porosity, hydroxyl enrichment on the surface, and high dispersion of TiO2 particles.
ISSN:0884-2914
2044-5326
DOI:10.1557/jmr.2020.97