Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye in water solutions in the presence of MWCNT/TiO2 composites

The textile and dyestuff industries are the primary sources of the release of synthetic dyes into the environment and usually there are major pollutants in dye wastewaters. Because of their toxicity and slow degradation, these dyes are categorized as environmentally hazardous materials. In this context, carbon nanotubes/TiO2 (CNTs/TiO2) composites were prepared using multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs), titanium (IV) propoxide and commercial TiO2 (P25 (R)) as titanium oxide sources, to degrade the methyl orange dye in solution through photocatalyst activity using UV irradiation. The composites were prepared by solution processing followed by thermal treatment at 400, 500 and 600 degrees C. The heterojunction between nanotubes and TiO2 was confirmed by XRD, specific surface area. The coating morphology was observed with SEM and TEM. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.