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Visible light photocatalytic activity of novel MWCNT-doped ZnO electrospun nanofibers

Samadi, M ; Sharif University of Technology | 2012

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. DOI: 10.1016/j.molcata.2012.03.019
  3. Publisher: 2012
  4. Abstract:
  5. Multi wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) doped ZnO nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning for the first time. We have successfully demonstrated the photocatalytic activity of doped nanofibers under visible light. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the diameter of MWCNT-doped ZnO nanofibers varied from 120 to 300 nm without agglomeration of MWCNT. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies proved the formation of ZnO bond and wurtzite structure with smaller crystal size in doped nanofibers. Raman spectra demonstrated slight shift in bond position after nanofiber doping, indicating the chemical bond between MWCNT and ZnO. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that ZnOC bond were formed in the nanofibers and the energy band gaps were 3.11 and 2.94 eV for pure and doped ZnO nanofibers, respectively. Thermal gravimetric analysis revealed a total weight loss of 55% with no variation in mass reduction at temperature above 460°C. In comparison with ZnO nanofibers, a 7-fold enhancement in photocatalytic activity was observed under UV light as a result of delaying electron-hole recombination as verified by photoluminescence spectroscopy. The improvement in the visible light photocatalytic performance was assigned to the role of MWCNT as photosensitizer and the synergistic effect between MWCNT and ZnO
  6. Keywords:
  7. Band gap ; Photosensitizer ; Crystal size ; Doped ZnO ; Electron-hole recombination ; Electrospun nanofibers ; Mass reduction ; Photo-catalytic ; Photocatalytic activities ; Photocatalytic performance ; Synergistic effect ; Thermal gravimetric analysis ; Visible light ; Visible light photocatalytic activity ; Weight loss ; Without agglomeration ; Wurtzite structure ; X-ray diffraction studies ; ZnO ; ZnO-MWCNT ; Chemical bonds ; Electrospinning ; Energy gap ; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ; Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCN) ; Photocatalysis ; Photoelectrons ; Photoluminescence spectroscopy ; Photosensitizers ; Scanning electron microscopy ; Thermogravimetric analysis ; X ray diffraction ; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy ; Zinc oxide ; Zinc sulfide ; Nanofibers
  8. Source: Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical ; Volume 359 , 2012 , Pages 42-48 ; 13811169 (ISSN)
  9. URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1381116912000970