title: Modified microwave method for the synthesis of visible light-responsive TiO2/MWCNTs nanocatalysts.
abstract: Recently, TiO2/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) hybrid nanocatalysts have been a subject of high interest due to their excellent structures, large surface areas and peculiar optical properties, which enhance their photocatalytic performance. In this work, a modified microwave technique was used to rapidly synthesise a TiO2/MWCNT nanocatalyst with a large surface area. X-ray powder diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurements were used to characterise the structure, morphology and the surface area of the sample. The photocatalytic activity of the hybrid nanocatalysts was evaluated through a comparison of the degradation of methylene blue dye under irradiation with ultraviolet and visible light. The results showed that the TiO2/MWCNT hybrid nanocatalysts degraded 34.9% of the methylene blue (MB) under irradiation with ultraviolet light, whereas 96.3% of the MB was degraded under irradiation with visible light.
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Physics, Faculty Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor 43600, Malaysia. frsos2005@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Firas K Mohamad
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Alosfur
authors.forename: Mohammad Hafizuddin Haji
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Jumali
authors.forename: Shahidan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Radiman
authors.forename: Noor J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Ridha
authors.forename: Mohd Ambar
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Yarmo
authors.forename: Akrajas Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Umar
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