Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production activity of noble metal free MWCNT-TiO2 nanocomposites

Nanocomposite photocatalysts, MWCNT-TiO2 were prepared by hydrothermal method. The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy to understand the crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties. The catalyst synthesis parameters such as calcination temperature and loading of MWCNTs were optimized for better hydrogen (H2) production in 5 vol% glycerol aqueous solution under UV-visible light irradiation. Among the prepared nanocomposites, 0.1 wt% CNT loaded TiO2 calcined at 450 °C for 2 h showed the highest H2 production rate of 8.8 mmol g−1 h−1. This higher H2 production rate obtained can be ascribed to effective utilization of the photo generated electrons and holes for redox reactions.