Effect of CNT on the growth and agglomeration of TiO2 nanoparticles

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) are agglomerated by inclusion of CNTs during the nucleation and growth process using the hydrothermal method at 160 ⁰C. The content of C-atoms was determined from EDAX-spectra and line scan. The XRD peak of TiO₂ indicated the rutile phase R(210), while CNT- TiO₂ showed the anatase phase A(004). Williamson-Hall (W-H) models showed the linear fitted negative slope, indicated the presence of compressive strain in TiO₂ and CNT- TiO₂ crystal lattice. Agglomeration of TiO₂ nanoparticles was confirmed from the surface morphology and elemental analysis. The FTIR spectra showed the interfacial interaction between CNTs and TiO₂ with vibrational frequency of Ti-O-C bonds at 1065 cm^-1.