TiO2–MWCNT rice grain-shaped nanocomposites—Synthesis, characterization and photocatalysis

Abstract Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 )-multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites with a novel morphology of rice-grains are prepared by electrospinning method. Anatase-MWCNT composites (with a negligibly small percentage of rutile and brookite) are obtained by high temperature sintering of the as-spun (polymer-TiO 2 –MWCNT) composite fibers. The nanocomposites are characterized using spectroscopy and microscopy. The results show that the functionalized MWCNTs are integrated into the TiO 2 rice grain structures. The enhanced photocatalysis of the nanocomposites in comparison to TiO 2 rice grains and commercially available P-25 is demonstrated in photodegradation of Alizarin Red dye.