TiO2-MWCNT rice grain-shaped nanocomposites: Synthesis, characterization and photocatalysis

Titanium dioxide (TiO2)-multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites with a novel morphology of rice-grains are prepared by electrospinning method. Anatase-MWCNT composites (with a negligibly small percentage of rutile and brookite) are obtained by high temperature sintering of the as-spun (polymer-TiO2-MWCNT) composite fibers. The nanocomposites are characterized using spectroscopy and microscopy. The results show that the functionalized MWCNTs are integrated into the TiO2 rice grain structures. The enhanced photocatalysis of the nanocomposites in comparison to TiO2 rice grains and commercially available P-25 is demonstrated in photodegradation of Alizarin Red dye. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.