Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube-TiO2Nanocomposite for Visible-Light-Induced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Ke Dai, Xiaohu Zhang, Ke Fan, Peng Zeng, Tianyou Peng
2014 Journal of Nanomaterials  
Multiwalled carbon nanotube- (MWCNT-) TiO2nanocomposite was synthesized via hydrothermal process and characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, thermogravimetry analysis, and N2adsorption-desorption isotherms. Appropriate pretreatment on MWCNTs could generate oxygen-containing groups, which is beneficial for forming intimate contact between MWCNTs and TiO2and leads to a higher thermal stability of
more » ... ite. Modification with MWCNTs can extend the visible-light absorption of TiO2. 5 wt% MWCNT-TiO2derived from hydrothermal treatment at 140°C exhibiting the highest hydrogen generation rate of 15.1 μmol·h−1under visible-light irradiation and a wide photoresponse range from 350 to 475 nm with moderate quantum efficiency (4.4% at 420 nm and 3.7% at 475 nm). The above experimental results indicate that the MWCNT-TiO2nanocomposite is a promising photocatalyst with good stability and visible-light-induced photoactivity.
doi:10.1155/2014/694073 fatcat:by72ftdawzhdjcsardjffzj4rq