title: Biomineralized N-doped CNT/TiO2 core/shell nanowires for visible light photocatalysis.
abstract: We report an efficient and environmentally benign biomimetic mineralization of TiO(2) at the graphitic carbon surface, which successfully created an ideal TiO(2)/carbon hybrid structure without any harsh surface treatment or interfacial adhesive layer. The N-doped sites at carbon nanotubes (CNTs) successfully nucleated the high-yield biomimetic deposition of a uniformly thick TiO(2) nanoshell in neutral pH aqueous media at ambient pressure and temperature and generated N-doped CNT (NCNT)/TiO(2) core/shell nanowires. Unlike previously known organic biomineralization templates, such as proteins or peptides, the electroconductive and high-temperature-stable NCNT backbone enabled high-temperature thermal treatment and corresponding crystal structure transformation of TiO(2) nanoshells into the anatase or rutile phase for optimized material properties. The direct contact of the NCNT surface and TiO(2) nanoshell without any adhesive interlayer introduced a new carbon energy level in the TiO(2) band gap and thereby effectively lowered the band gap energy. Consequently, the created core/shell nanowires showed a greatly enhanced visible light photocatalysis. Other interesting synergistic properties such as stimuli-responsive wettabilites were also demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Won Jun
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ju Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Saji Thomas
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Kochuveedu
authors.forename: Tae Hee
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Hu Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Moonkyu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Je Moon
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Joon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Kwangsoo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: No
authors.forename: Dong Ha
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Ouk
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002384:Catalysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D008422:Materials Testing; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium