Visible light photocatalytic properties of novel molybdenum treated carbon nanotube/titania composites

Abstract

Two types of molybdenum-carbon nanotubes and molybdenum treated carbon nanotubes/titania composites were prepared using a sol-gel method. These composites were characterized comprehensively by the BrauerEmett-Teller (BET) surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. It was found that the photocatalytic degradation of a methylene blue solution could be attributed to the combined effects caused by the photo-degradation of titania, the electron assistance of carbon nanotube network, and the enhancement of molybdenum. The proposed redox mechanism of the photodegradation of methylene blue on Mo-CNT/TiO 2 composites is suggested.

Nanocarbons with Different Dimensions as Noble-Metal-Free Co-Catalysts for Photocatalysts

“…Researchers hope to find some non-noble metals to replace novel metals [56][57][58]. Zhang et al [59] reported the synthesis of Mo-decorated TiO2/CNTs (Mo-CT) composites. In this system, three parts Although many achievements have confirmed that the employment of 0D carbon materials as co-catalysts can actually enhance the photocatalytic performance of semiconductor photocatalysts, these materials are difficult to homogeneously disperse on the surface of main photocatalysts.…”

“…Researchers hope to find some non-noble metals to replace novel metals [56][57][58]. Zhang et al [59] reported the synthesis of Mo-decorated TiO 2 /CNTs (Mo-CT) composites. In this system, three parts play their own duty, respectively, and the interaction between them dramatically enhances the photocatalytic activity.…”