Synthesis of a CNT-grafted TiO2 nanocatalyst and its activity triggered by a DC voltage

摘要

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-grafted TiO2 (CNT/TiO2) was synthesized as an electrically conductive catalyst that exhibits redox ability under electrical excitation besides ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The CNT/TiO2 material was synthesized by a two-stEP 4process. Ni nanoparticles were photodeposited onto TiO2 first. The Ni nanoparticles then served as seeds for the growth of CNTs using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of C2H2. The CNT/TiO2 nanocomposite exhibits strong oxidation activity toward NO gas molecules via both photocatalysis under UV irradiation and electrocatalysis under a DC voltage of 500 V in dark conditions.