The dependence of the photocatalytic activity of TiO2/carbon nanotubes nanocomposites on the modification of the carbon nanotubes

Abstract Nanostructural TiO 2 /modified multi-wall carbon nanotubes photocatalysts were prepared by hydrolysis of Ti( iso -OC 3 H 7 ) 4 providing chemical bonding of anatase TiO 2 nanoparticles onto oxidized- or amino-functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The processes of functionalization of the MWCNT and the deposition of TiO 2 influence the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanocomposites. The phase composition, crystallite size, and the structural and surface properties of the obtained TiO 2 /modified-MWCNT nanocomposite were analyzed from XRD, FEG-SEM, TEM/HRTEM and FTIR data, as well low temperature N 2 adsorption. In the photocatalytic study, the TiO 2 /oxidized-MWCNT catalyst showed the highest and the TiO 2 /amino functionalized-MWCNT catalysts somewhat lower degradation rates, indicating that the enhancement of photocatalysis was supported by the more effective electron transfer properties of the oxygen- than amino-containing functional groups, which support the efficient charge transportation and separation of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs.