Synthesis of carbon nanotube/anatase titania composites by a combination of sol-gel and self-assembly at low temperature

Journal Article · Sun May 15 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

OSTI ID:21505057

Rongfa, Zhang; Junhuai, Xiang; Tingzhi, Liu; Wenkui, Li; Mingsheng, Li; Shuwang, Duo ^[1]

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1. Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Surface Engineering, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang 330013 (China)

A simple method is described for the synthesis of carbon nanotube/anatase titania composites by a combination of a sol-gel method with a self-assembly technique at 65 {sup o}C. This method makes use of polyelectrolyte for wrapping multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and providing them with adsorption sites for electrostatically driven TiO{sub 2} nanoparticle deposition. The composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and photoluminescence for analyzing their crystal phase, microstructure, particle size, and other physicochemical properties. The results showed that MWCNT were covered with an anatase TiO{sub 2} thin layer or surrounded by an anatase TiO{sub 2} thick coating, which is constructed of TiO{sub 2} particles about 6 nm in size. The composites were rich in surface hydroxyl groups. The excited e{sup -} in conduction band of TiO{sub 2} may migrate to MWCNT. Concerning the potential applicability, MWCNT/TiO{sub 2} composites showed excellent photocatalytic activity toward the photodegradation of methyl orange. -- Graphical abstract: MWCNT/anatase TiO{sub 2} composites have been prepared by a combination of a sol-gel method and a self-assembly technique in one step at low temperature without high temperature calcination. Display Omitted Highlights: {yields} MWCNT/anatase TiO{sub 2} composites could be prepared in one-pot at low temperature. {yields} MWCNT were covered with a TiO{sub 2} thin layer or surrounded by a TiO{sub 2} thick coating. {yields} Composites were rich in surface hydroxyl groups. {yields} Composites showed excellent photodegradation activity of methyl orange.

• OSTI ID: 21505057
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Solid State Chemistry Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 184; ISSN 0022-4596; ISSN JSSCBI
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ADSORPTION
AMINES
AZO COMPOUNDS
AZO DYES
CALCINATION
CARBON
CATALYSIS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COHERENT SCATTERING
DECOMPOSITION
DEPOSITION
DIFFRACTION
DYES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
EMISSION
FILMS
INDICATORS
LUMINESCENCE
METHYL ORANGE
MICROSCOPY
MICROSTRUCTURE
NANOSTRUCTURES
NANOTUBES
NONMETALS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE SIZE
PHOTOCATALYSIS
PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
PHOTOLUMINESCENCE
PHOTON EMISSION
PYROLYSIS
SCATTERING
SIZE
SOL-GEL PROCESS
SORPTION
SPECTROSCOPY
SULFONIC ACIDS
SURFACES
SYNTHESIS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
THIN FILMS
TITANIUM COMPOUNDS
TITANIUM OXIDES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY