Preparation and Characterization of Ce-Doped TiO2-Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes Composites

Ce-doped TiO₂-multi walled carbon nanotubes (Ce-doped MCNTs/TiO₂) composites were successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The crystalline structure, surface morphology and optical properties of samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV-vis) analysis technologies. The Ce-doped TiO₂ particles of anatase type were well dispersed on the MCNTs surface. Compared with pure TiO₂, the absorption of Ce-doped MCNTs/TiO₂ composites in the visible region increased by 19.4% and had a red shift about 30 nm. The photocatalytic activity of Ce-doped MCNTs/TiO₂ composites was investigated by the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) in the sunlight and compared with that of un-doping MCNTs/TiO₂. 1.0% Ce doping could effectively improve the photocatalytic activity of MCNTs/TiO₂ and the degradation rate for the MO reached 82.85% after irradiated 5h in the sunlight.