New insights into surface functionalization and preparation methods of MWCNT based semiconductor photocatalysts. Issue 12 (15th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Joseph, Honey Mary; Sugunan, S.; Gurrala, Lakshmiprasad; Mohan, Mothi Krishna; Gopi, Soumya
• Is Part Of: Ceramics international. Volume 45:Issue 12(2019)
• Page Start: 14490
• Page End: 14499
• Publication Date: 2019-08-15
• Subjects: Titania (TiO2) -- Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) -- Rhodamine B (RhB) -- Nitrophenol (4-NP) -- Picric acid (PA) -- Functionalization -- Sol gel and hydrothermal method -- Synergistic effects -- Photocatalysis -- Total organic carbon content (TOC); Ceramics -- Periodicals; Céramique industrielle -- Périodiques; Ceramics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2019.04.058
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8842

Abstract

Abstract: The manuscript primarily describes the influence of various synthesis strategies on the photocatalytic properties of MWCNT/TiO2 binary nanohybrids. The multiwalled carbon nanotube modified titania hybrids synthesized via two-step reaction involving the covalent functionalization with green and mild oxidizing agent like H2 O2, followed by simple surfactant/template free hydrothermal synthesis exhibited the maximum photocatalytic efficiency. The Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis showed complete mineralization of the persistent Rhodamine B dye in about 8 h. These synthesized nanohybrids in varying MWCNT content were tested for their photocatalytic efficiency in the degradation of explosive effluents like 4-nitrophenol and picric acid. The UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller Surface area analysis (BET), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectra analysis evidently revealed the effective synergistic interaction between the MWCNT and titania at the interface that has contributed to the significant enhancement of photocatalytic performance.