Fabrication of M-CNT/TiO_2 (M=Cr, Mn and Fe) composites and the effect of transition metals on their photocatalytic activities

摘要

3-Chloroperbenzoic acid has been used to oxidise a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) to obtain more functional groups. Chromium trioxide, manganese oxide and ferric nitrate were used to pretreat the oxidised MWCNT and together with titanium n-butoxide as titanium precursor to prepare M-CNT/TiO_2 composites. FTIR spectroscopy was used to determine the functional groups on the MWCNT and the characterisation of M-CNT/TiO_2 composites was by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Methylene blue was used to determine the photocatalytic activities of the M-CNT/TiO_2 composites under visible light.