Nanoengineering with residual catalyst from CNT templates

摘要

We investigate how residual catalyst from carbon nanotube (CNT) templates can be used to engineer novel functional nanomaterials.CNTs, produced via continuous flow chemical vapour deposition, typically contain catalyst residues in the form of encapsulated metalclusters or of iron oxide nanoparticles attached to the outside of the CNTs. These CNTs are used as sacrificial templates for TiO_2coat-ings using benzyl alcohol as a linking agent. Upon oxidation of the CNTs, the encapsulated iron particles dissolve into the TiO_2latticeand form iron-doped TiO_2nanotubes without the formation of secondary phases, while the iron oxide particles merely attach to theouter surface. The materials show extended light absorption into the visible range, a requirement for visible-light photocatalyst.