Photocatalytic Improvement under Visible Light in TiO2 Nanoparticles by Carbon Nanotube Incorporation

Journal article

Authors/Editors

Strategic Research Themes

No matching items found.

Publication Details

Author list: Wongaree M., Chiarakorn S., Chuangchote S.

Publisher: Hindawi

Publication year: 2015

Journal: Journal of Nanomaterials (1687-4110)

Volume number: 2015

ISSN: 1687-4110

eISSN: 1687-4129

URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84940398971&doi=10.1155%2f2015%2f689306&partnerID=40&md5=d3ced67b0d5b67fed10ee9949acf615d

Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)

View in Web of Science | View on publisher site | View citing articles in Web of Science

Abstract

Photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles was successfully enhanced by addition of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to make CNT/TiO2 nanocomposites by sol-gel method at ambient temperature. CNT treated by HNO3: H2SO4 treatment (1: 3 v/v) was mixed with TiO2 nanoparticles at various molar ratios and calcination temperatures. The optimal molar ratio of CNT: TiO2 was found at 0.05: 1 by weight. The optimal calcination condition was 400ฐC for 3 h. From the results, the photocatalytic activities of CNT/TiO2 nanocomposites were determined by the decolorization of 1 ื 10-5 M methylene blue (MB) under visible light. CNT/TiO2 nanocomposites 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/TiO2 nanocomposite achieved 70% which was higher than that with pristine TiO2 (22%). This could be explained that CNT prevents TiO2 from its agglomeration which could further enhance electron transfer in the composites. In addition, CNT/TiO2 nanocomposites had high specific surface area (202 m2/g) which is very promising for utilization as a photocatalyst for environmental applications. ฉ 2015 Mathana Wongaree et al.

Keywords