Synthesis and Characterization of TiO2/CNT Nanocomposites for Azo Dye Degradation
Pure TiO2 nanoparticles, TiO2/9 wt %CNT and TiO2/18 wt %CNT nanocomposites were fabricated by sol-gel method and the CNTs in TiO2/CNT nanocomposite were grown under the catalysis of Ni film in thermally chemical deposition process. The TiO2/CNT was characterized and analyzed by field-emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and x-ray diffractometer. The results showed that the pure TiO2 nanoparticles have anatase form when calcination temperature T ≦ 500 °C, and partly become rutile form when T ≧ 550 °C. The CNTs embedded in TiO2 could retard the phase transformation of TiO2 from anatase into rutile. The grain sizes of anatase and rutile phases ranged from 10.1 to 27.7 nm and essentially increase with increase in calcinations temperature. The CNTs in composite could reduce the adsorption and the photocatalytic degradation of azo dye (AO7).