Enhancing visible-light photocatalytic activity of TiO2–CNTs hybrid catalyst with 3D axis-shell spiny nanostructures

A novel photocatalyst with three-dimensional axis-shell spiny nanostructures was developed by coating titanium dioxide onto the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via a facile hydrothermal method. Scanning electron microscopy results demonstrated the formation of nanosheet structures and uniform flowerlike morphologies on the CNTs. The nitrogen adsorption experiment confirmed mesoporous structures in this catalyst. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B dye under visible-light irradiation was investigated in this unique photocatalyst.