Photocatalytic oxidation of methanol using titanium dioxide/single-walled carbon nanotube composite

Titanium dioxide/single-walled carbon nanotube TiO2/SWNT composites were prepared for photocatalytic applications. Thecomposites were characterized using UV-visible and Raman spectroscopy, zeta-potential measurements, cyclic voltammetrycoupled with a photoreactor, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersiveX-ray spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 and the TiO2/SWNT composite was investigated using the photo-oxidationof methanol in sulfuric acid as supporting electrolyte. The results indicate that the TiO2/SWNT composite enhances the photocatalyticactivity compared to TiO2 alone. Electrochemical studies of the TiO2/SWNT composite were also carried out in varioussupporting electrolytes and the presence of SWNTs was shown to increase the current achieved in voltammetric measurements.