Preparation of MWCNT/TiO2 composites by using MWCNTs and Titanium(IV) alkoxide precursors in Benzene and their photocatalytic effect and bactericidal activity

Abstract

In this present paper, we prepared MWCNT/TiO2 composites by using pre-oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with different titanium alkoxide precursors in benzene solvent. The composites were comprehensively characterized by BET surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The photoactivity of the prepared materials, under UV irradiation, was tested using methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution. Finally, according to the results of MB removal experiment, it can be considered that the MB degradation infect mainly caused by photocatalytic effect of TiO2. Furthermore, the bactericidal test of the composites was also determined. It was indicated that MWCNT/TiO2 composites with sunlight had greater effectiveness for B. cereus, S. aureus and E. coli than any other experimental conditions.