Abstract
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Titanium dioxide/single-walled carbon nanotube TiO2/SWNT composites were prepared for photocatalytic applications. The
composites were characterized using UV-visible and Raman spectroscopy, zeta-potential measurements, cyclic voltammetry
coupled with a photoreactor, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive
X-ray spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 and the TiO2/SWNT composite was investigated using the photo-oxidation
of methanol in sulfuric acid as supporting electrolyte. The results indicate that the TiO2/SWNT composite enhances the photocatalytic
activity compared to TiO2 alone. Electrochemical studies of the TiO2/SWNT composite were also carried out in various
supporting electrolytes and the presence of SWNTs was shown to increase the current achieved in voltammetric measurements.