Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry study on the enhanced visible photocatalytic mechanism of carbon-TiO2 nanohybrids

► Carbon-TiO2 nanohybrids (CTs) have been successfully prepared. ► CTs show excellent photocatalytic abilities in visible light. ► Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy was used to study CTs. ► The mechanism of enhanced visible photocatalytic ability of CTs was investigated.