Photocatalytic oxidation of methanol using titanium dioxide/single-walled carbon nanotube composite

• Main Authors: Dechakiatkrai C., Chen J., Lynam C., Phanichphant S., Wallace G.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-34047131670&partnerID=40&md5=0bcff8e410f51325090e1542bfe4e0eb; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/5277
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

Titanium dioxide/single-walled carbon nanotube (TiO2 /SWNT) composites were prepared for photocatalytic applications. The composites were characterized using UV-visible and Raman spectroscopy, zeta-potential measurements, cyclic voltammetry coupled with a photoreactor, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 and the TiO2 /SWNT composite was investigated using the photo-oxidation of methanol in sulfuric acid as supporting electrolyte. The results indicate that the TiO2 /SWNT composite enhances the photocatalytic activity compared to TiO2 alone. Electrochemical studies of the TiO2 /SWNT composite were also carried out in various supporting electrolytes and the presence of SWNTs was shown to increase the current achieved in voltammetric measurements. © 2007 The Electrochemical Society.