Open AccessOptimisation of the Photonic Efficiency of TiO2 Decorated on MWCNTs for Methylene Blue Photodegradation
Author(s) -
Nura Abdullahi,
Elias Saion,
Abdul Halim Shaari,
Naif Mohammed AlHada,
Aysar Sabah Keiteb
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0125511
Subject(s) - methylene blue , nanocomposite , photodegradation , visible spectrum , aqueous solution , materials science , degradation (telecommunications) , chemical engineering , nanoparticle , photocatalysis , nuclear chemistry , spectroscopy , ultraviolet visible spectroscopy , photochemistry , catalysis , nanotechnology , chemistry , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , telecommunications , physics , quantum mechanics , computer science , engineering
MWCNTs/TiO 2 nanocomposite was prepared by oxidising MWCNT in H 2 SO 4 /HNO 3 then decorating it with TiO 2 -p25 nanopowder. The composites were characterised using XRD, TEM, FT-IR PL and UV−vis spectroscopy. The TEM images have shown TiO 2 nanoparticles immobilised onto the sidewalls of the MWCNTs. The UV-vis spectrum confirms that the nanocomposites can significantly absorb more light in the visible regions compared with the commercial TiO 2 (P25). The catalytic activity of these nanocomposites was determined by photooxidation of MB aqueous solution in the presence of visible light. The MWCNTs/TiO 2 (1:3) mass ratio showed maximum degradation efficiency. However, its activity was more favourable in alkaline and a neutral pH than an acidic medium.