Preparation and Characterization of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Doped With Titanium Dioxide

IJEP 43(12): 1107-1113 : Vol. 43 Issue. 12 (December 2023)

S. Suriya1*, M. Abinaya1, P. Aparna1, P. Jayashree1 and N. Thangam2

1. Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Department of Civil Engineering, Sivakasi – 626 005, Tamil Nadu, India
2. Peri Institute of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering, Mannivakkam, Chennai – 600 048, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Air pollution and global warming are a major threat to the environment because of use of fossil fuels in transportations. To overcome the above problem, hydrogen can be used as an alternate fuel since it does not release any toxic pollutants and it prevents air-borne diseases. Utilization of catalyst for water splitting results in production of environment-friendly hydrogen generations. Hydrogen has been noted as the high-efficient and clean renewable fuel source. However, the usage of high-cost catalyst gives efficiency in hydrogen production but causes the economic burden for commercial applications. Therefore, the development of cost-effective catalyst which has the catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction should be used for large-scale production. In the present study, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were doped with synthesised titanium dioxide (TiO2) to produce catalyst. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes doped titanium dioxide were prepared by a sol–gel method and it was characterized by particle size, morphology, elemental composition and bandgap energy analysis. Therefore, MWCNT doped TiO2 is a potential photocatalyst for effective generation of hydrogen when exposed to visible light at room temperature or in direct sunlight.

Keywords

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes/titanium dioxide composite, Sol-gel method, Photocatalysis, Characterization of catalysts

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