Top-Down Synthesis and Deposition of Highly Porous TiO2 Nanoparticles from NH4TiOF3 Single Crystals on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Oxides

We demonstrate a novel top-down synthesis of photocatalytic nanocomposites coupled with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). TiO2 nanoparticles were directly grown on and fully covered the MWCNTs' surface via room-temperature hydrolysis of NH4TiOF3 micro-single crystals. A similar full coating of TiO2 was extended to graphene oxides (GOs). X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis were employed for characterization of products. The photocatalytic activities of the MWCNT/TiO2 nanocomposites are strongly influenced by the TiO2 coverage on the MWCNTs. Among the synthesized nanocomposites, the 4.9% MWCNT/TiO2 nanocomposite demonstrated the highest photodegradation as well as the lowest adsorption of methylene blue (MB). (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.