Synthesis and Characterization of Nano-TiO2 Immobilized on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity

Nano-TiO₂ immobilized on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been successfully prepared via sol-gel method, with an hydrochloric acid as the catalyst. The as-prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy. It clearly showed that MWCNTs were covered with well dispersed nano-TiO₂ particles. The results obtained from the visible light photocatalytic removing of methylene blue indicated that the microstructures of MWCNTs enhanced the photocatalytic activity of nano-TiO₂ particles. By using MWCNTs as the supports, the phase transformation from anatase to rutile could be controlled effectively, which remarkably improved the efficiency of the photocatalytic activity during the visible light region.