Photocatalytic hydrogen generation by splitting of water from electrospun hybrid nanostructures

MWCNT-TiO2 hybrid nanostructures are prepared using sol–gel and electrospinning followed by post annealing of as-spun nanofibers at 450 °C per 1 h in air. These hybrid nanostructures composed of MWCNTs varied from 0 to 20% (w/w) and are characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, and FT-IR analysis. MWCNT-TiO2 hybrid structures are utilized in commercially available Methylene blue (MB) dye degradation and found that 2% of MWCNT exhibit superior kinetic constant 6.379 × 10−3 min−1 extracted. In addition, we demonstrate that the doping of MWCTs within TiO2 leads to a significant enhancement of the UV–vis light assisted photocatalytic activity is optimized in comparison with higher (5, 10 and 20%) compositions. UV–vis assisted photocatalytic hydrogen is evolved by photoelectrolytic splitting of water by using MWCNT-TiO2 hybrid nanostructures as electrode.

Graphical abstractSchematic representation of the photocatalysis at MWCNT-TiO2 hybrid nanostructures.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► MWCNT-TiO2 hybrid nanostructures are prepared using sol–gel and electrospinning. ► These nanostructures provide high surface area with different compositions. ► MWCNT-TiO2 finds Superior photocatalytic activity for MB dye degradation. ► UV–vis light assisted photocatalytic hydrogen is evolved by splitting of water. ► Hydrogen generation shows enhancement with respect to the current density.