Photocatalytic Improvement under Visible Light inTiO2Nanoparticles by Carbon Nanotube Incorporation
Photocatalytic activity ofTiO2nanoparticles was successfully enhanced by addition of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to make CNT/TiO2nanocomposites by sol-gel method at ambient temperature. CNT treated by HNO3 : H2SO4treatment (1 : 3 v/v) was mixed withTiO2nanoparticles at various molar ratios and calcination temperatures. The optimal molar ratio of CNT : TiO2was found at 0.05 : 1 by weight. The optimal calcination condition was 400°C for 3 h. From the results, the photocatalytic activities of CNT/TiO2nanocomposites were determined by the decolorization of 1 × 10−5 M methylene blue (MB) under visible light. CNT/TiO2nanocomposites could enhance the photocatalytic activity and showed faster for the degradation of MB with only 90 min. The degradation efficiency of the MB solution with CNT/TiO2nanocomposite achieved 70% which was higher than that with pristineTiO2(22%). This could be explained that CNT preventsTiO2from its agglomeration which could further enhance electron transfer in the composites. In addition, CNT/TiO2nanocomposites had high specific surface area (202 m2/g) which is very promising for utilization as a photocatalyst for environmental applications.