Nanohybrid of titania/carbon nanotubes - nanohorns: A promising photocatalyst for enhanced hydrogen production under solar irradiation

In this paper, we report preparation of straight and defect-free carbon nanotubes and nanohorns by arc discharge method followed by acid functionalization. Photocatalytic activity of both pristine TiO2 as well as the nanohybrids were studied in aqueous glycerol solution under solar irradiation. With a relatively low amount of pristine TiO2, a high rate of H2 production of 2134 μmol h−1 gcat−1 has been obtained. The nanohybrid material CTP-10 (10 wt% FCNTs in nanohybrid) displayed a superior H2 production rate of 6012 μmol h−1 gcat−1, which is nearly 3 times greater than the activity of pristine TiO2. This superior and stable photocatalytic activity was achieved due to the mixed morphology of carbon nanotubes and nanohorns in the nanohybrid photocatalysts.260