Abstract
Carbon nanotubes are uniformly coated with titanium dioxide by sol-gel technique. Morphology, composition, and photoreactivity of the as-made composite are investigated by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-Visible spectrum, and Photoluminescence spectroscope data, respectively. The composites show a superior efficiency of photocatalysis than Degussa Aeroxide® P25 in photo-degradation experiment. Due to the excellent conductivity of carbon nanotubes, the photoelectron excited in titanium dioxide can be easily transferred to carbon nanotubes. As a result, the recombination kinetic of exciton is prolonged, and the photocatalysis of titanium dioxide is improved. Moreover, the high specific surface area of carbon nanotubes provides substantial amount of adsorption sites and therefore improve performance of photo-degradation experiment.