Structural Characterization of MWCNTs/Co-TiO2Nanocomposite and Degradation of 2,4-Dichlorophenol

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) supported Co-TiO2nanocomposites were successfully synthesized via modified sol- gel method and used for degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) under visible light. Characterization of photocatalysts micro structure and internal properties were done by XRD, FTIR and (SEM/EDX). Cobalt doping can inhibit phase transformation from anatase to rutile and eliminate the recombination of electron-hole pairs in the catalyst. The presence of MWCNTs in TiO2 composite can both increase the photoactivity and change surface properties to achieve sensitivity to visible light. The optimum mass ratio of CNT support and cobalt (Co) dopant in TiO2 was the prominent factor to harvest MWCNTs/Co-TiO2 photocatalyst nanocomposite. The results demonstrated that optimum mass ratio of MWCNTs:TiO2:Co was 0.04:2.70:0.12, which resulted in the great performance of the photocatalyst (10 mg) to degrade about 82% of 2,4-DCP solution in only 180 min under visible light