Fabrication and photocatalytic performance of C, Pt‐comodified TiO ₂ nanotubes

Abstract

Compared with common TiO 2 powder, TiO 2 nanotubes can exhibit better catalytic performance for their high specific surface area. By using hydrogen TiO 2 nanotubes synthesised via the hydrothermal process as carriers, carbon and platinum co-modified TiO 2 nanotubes (C-Pt/ TiO 2 NTs) were prepared via impregnation-photoreduction method in this study. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and infrared spectrum were used to characterise the structure and composition of the prepared samples. Their catalytic activities for degrading methyl orange under ultraviolet (UV) illumination and simulated sunlight were evaluated. The influences and mechanism of dopants and their contents on the catalysts' activity were investigated. Obtained results indicated that the modification can improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 nanotubes under both UV light and simulated sunlight. Among them, C-Pt/ TiO 2 NTs with 0.5 wt% Pt exhibited the best performance.