Enhanced visible light responsive MWCNT/TiO2 core-shell nanocomposites as the potential photocatalyst for reduction of CO2 into methane

This work demonstrates the synthesis of MWCNT/TiO2 core-shell nanocomposites and their application for photocatalytic reduction of CO2 under visible light irradiation. MWCNT/TiO2 core-shell nanocomposites were obtained from a newly developed coating approach. UV-vis analysis revealed that the photoactivity of the nanocomposites in the visible light range was significantly enhanced with the absorption edge extended to the visible light region (>400 nm). The XRD and Raman analysis indicated that the TiO2 shell layer was composed of anatase TiO2 nanocrystallite prevailing grew along the (1 0 1) direction. The MWCNT/TiO2 core-shell nanocomposites exhibited conversion of CO2 into methane in a continuous process under a low power visible light irradiation at atmospheric pressure. The highest methane yield of ca. 0.17 mu mol/g-catalyst/h was recorded at the 6th hour of irradiation time. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.