Graphene Coating of TiO₂ Nanoparticles Loaded on Mesoporous Silica for Enhancement of Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract

TiO 2 nanoparticles supported on a mesoporous silica surface (TiO 2 /MCM-41) were selectively coated with graphene through the formation of surface complexes between TiO 2 nanoparticles and 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene and following carbonization under N 2 flow. The pore structure as well as the high surface area of MCM-41 was retained even after carbonization at 1073 K. The selective graphene coating led to the enhancement of photocatalytic activities of TiO 2 /MCM-41 for the decomposition of 2-propanol in water compared with unmodified samples due to the appropriate adsorption properties of organics to transfer to the surface of TiO 2 nanoparticles.