Air plasma treated TiO2/MWCNT composite for enhanced photocatalytic activity

• Published in: Chemical physics letters Vol. 757; p. 137850
• Main Authors: Chinonso, Ugwumadu, Ibukun, Olaniyan, Kyung Jeong, Hae
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 16-10-2020
• Subjects: Air plasma; CNT; Methylene blue; Photocatalysis; TiO2; CNT; Air plasma; Photocatalysis; TiO2; Methylene blue
• ISSN: 0009-2614; 1873-4448
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2020.137850

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•The TiO2/CNT composites have been prepared successfully by the hydrothermal method.•Surface of the composites was modified by using amient plasma.•Photocatalytic activity of the composite increased from 4 to 35% for methylene blue.•Photocatalytic activity of the composite increased from 9 to 40% for methyl blue.
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes were loaded into titanium dioxide by the hydrothermal method followed by surface modifications using air plasma for enhanced photocatalytic activity. Methyl blue (MB-1) and methylene blue (MB-2) photodegradation under UV and visible light were investigated, resulting that optimal MB-1 and MB-2 degradation was achieved after 90 and 140 min under the UV and was enhanced from 9% to 40% and from 4% to 35% under the visible light. UV photocurrent response was enhanced by three times compared to the precursor because of the plasma treatment, providing higher surface area, lower impedance, bandgap modulation, and more active sites.