Synthesis of carbon-modified TiO2 nanotube arrays for enhancing the photocatalytic activity under the visible light

TiO2 nanotube arrays modified with carbon were prepared by anodization of Ti foil followed by a hydrothermal treatment in glucose aqueous solution. The morphologies, crystalline structures were characterized by a scanning electron microscope, an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer and an X-ray diffraction spectrometer. The optical and photoelectric properties were studied using a UV–vis spectrophotometer and an electrochemical workstation. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated with the degradation of methylene blue under the visible light irradiation. The results revealed that the carbon-modified TiO2 nanotube arrays exhibit a considerable enhancement of the photocatalytic activity comparing with the pure TiO2 nanotube arrays under the visible light.