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Stabilization of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles at the Surface of Carbon Nanomaterials Promoted by Microwave Heating
Author(s) -
Zhang Rui,
Santangelo Saveria,
Fazio Enza,
Neri Fortunato,
D'Arienzo Massimiliano,
Morazzoni Franca,
Zhang Yihe,
Pinicola,
Russo Patrícia A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201502433
Subject(s) - nanomaterials , titanium dioxide , nanoparticle , materials science , microwave , nanotechnology , titanium , microwave heating , carbon dioxide , surface modification , carbon fibers , chemical engineering , chemistry , metallurgy , composite material , composite number , computer science , organic chemistry , engineering , telecommunications
Abstract TiO 2 is frequently combined with carbon materials, such as reduced graphene oxide (RGO), to produce composites with improved properties, for example for photocatalytic applications. It is shown that heating conditions significantly affect the interface and photocatalytic properties of TiO 2 @C, and that microwave irradiation can be advantageous for the synthesis of carbon‐based materials. Composites of TiO 2 with RGO or amorphous carbon were prepared from reaction of titanium isopropoxide with benzyl alcohol. During the synthesis of the TiO 2 nanoparticles, the carbon is involved in reactions that lead to the covalent attachment of the oxide, the extent of which depends on the carbon characteristics, heating rate, and mechanism. TiO 2 is more efficiently stabilized at the surface of RGO than amorphous carbon. Rapid heating of the reaction mixture results in a stronger coupling between the nanoparticles and carbon, more uniform coatings, and smaller particles with narrower size distributions. The more efficient attachment of the oxide leads to better photocatalytic performance.