Boron-doped TiO2–CNTs nanocomposites for photocatalytic application

Abstract

Nanosized TiO2 and CNTs are important functional materials that have received considerable research interest in the last few decades. In this work, TiO2–CNTs nanocomposites with different mol% doping of boron were prepared by using a sol–gel method. The various physicochemical properties of synthesized nanocomposites were studied in connection with photodegradation of methylene blue dye solution. Nanocomposites have non-spherical shape with crystallite size in the range of 11–15 nm; were well hosted on the surface of CNTs. Raman analysis confirmed the anatase phase of nanocomposites. Tuning the optical band gap of nanocomposites was studied by using UV–Vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of hydroxyl groups on the surface of nanocomposites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to determine the surface compositions of the nanocomposites. The photodegradation of methylene blue dye solution indicated that the photocatalytic activity of pure TiO2 nanoparticles increased with increasing boron concentration up to 3 mol% further increase in boron concentration, the photocatalytic efficiency decrease is confirmed through BET analysis. Overall, the experimental results suggest that 3 mol% boron-doped TiO2–CNTs nanocomposites might be the most efficient photocatalyst for removal of the organic pollutant in the environment.