Multiwalled carbon nanotubes in titania based nanocomposite as trap for photoexcitons for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production under solar light irradiation

The impact of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in titania based nanocomposite for photo catalytic hydrogen production was investigated. Founctionalization experiments were carried out to remove amorphous carbon atttached to carbon nanotubes by strong acid treatment followed by calcination at desired temperature and time intervals. Materials characterization revealed that anatase TiO2 nano particles randomly dispersed onto the walls of one dimensional multiwalled carbon nanotubes with surface hydroxyl and carbonyl groups besides significant change in optical absorption. Photocatalytic activity was performed in aqueous glycerol solution under solar light and volume of hydrogen production was quantified using gas chromatography. Highest hydrogen production rate of 13,107 mu mol.h(-1).g(-1) of catalyst was recorded under optimized conditions due to cocatalyst role of functionalized carbon nanotubes. Here, photo electrons were trapped by carbon nanotubes for continuous hydrogen production through reduction reaction.