Rutile TiO2 nanorods/MWCNT composites for enhanced simultaneous photocatalytic oxidation of organic dyes and reduction of metal ions

This work aims to enhance the charge separation and the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 by combining two ways of modification synthesizing TiO2 Nanorods with modified morphology and anchoring on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Simple hydrothermal method is performed to synthesize pure rutile TiO2 Nanorods/MWCNT composite. The photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite is evaluated for the degradation of the organic dye Bromophenol blue (BPB). An enhancement in the photocatalytic activity is observed using TiO2 Nanorods/MWCNT composite as compared to pure TiO2 Nanorods. A synergism between the MWCNT and the TiO2 Nanorods is expected to suppress the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and hence the photocatalytic activity. Moreover, simultaneous degradation of BPB and reduction of Ag(I) is studied using TiO2 Nanorods/MWCNT nanocomposite. Enhancement in the photocatalytic degradation of BPB is observed in the presence of Ag(I) as compared to O-2 as electron acceptor due to higher TiO2 electron transfer reaction rate to the Ag(I) ion as compared to its rate to the dissolved O-2. The results provide an effective method for dual benefits for the wastewater purification from organic and inorganic pollutants.