Title: Photocatalytic performance of carbonaceous TiO₂ nanotube arrays for degradation methyl orange dye under UV light

Authors: Xuelai Wang; Kan Yu; Hao Xie; Baoshun Liu; Xiujian Zhao

Addresses: State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China ' School of Material Sciences and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China ' State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China ' School of Material Sciences and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China ' State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China

Abstract: Carbon-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays (TNAs) were prepared from carbonaceous Ti foils by anodisation in a mixed electrolyte of glycerol and water. The photocatalytic ability can be increased by applying an external positive bias. Enhancing acidity of the pending solution can further accelerate the degradation rate. However, falcate and annular scraps were observed on the surface of TNAs after photoelectrodegradation experiments. XPS analysis indicated that carbon ions were positioned in interstitial site of the catalyst and the carbon content in TNAs decreased following the degradation process. The acid environment can increase the photocatalytic activity; this will damage the C-TNAs greatly. The carbon content decrease from 18.47 at. % to approximate 6 at. % after PEC processes, indicating that the carbon elements is removed from carbonaceous C-TNAs during PEC.

Keywords: TiO2 nanotube arrays; anodisation; morphology; photoelectrocatalysis; surface composition; carbon doping; nanotechnology; titania; acidity; photocatalysis; carbonaceous titanium foils; degradation; methyl orange dye; UV light; ultraviolet light.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2013.056066

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2013 Vol.9 No.3/4, pp.395 - 406

Received: 18 Jan 2013
Accepted: 21 Feb 2013
Published online: 31 Mar 2014 *

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