Abstract
A Fullerene/TiO2 composite photocatalyst was prepared with titanium (IV) n-butoxide (TNB) by using a MCPBA oxidation method. Since fullerene has absorptive and semiconducting properties, the fullerene/TiO2 composite revealed a sound photo-degradation activity. From the XRD data, a strong carbon peak of fullurene graphene remained and anatase and rutile peaks were observed in the X-ray diffraction patterns for the fullerene/TiO2 composite. The surface properties seen by SEM present a characterization of the texture on the fullerene/TiO2 composite and homogenous compositions in the particles for the titanium sources that were used. For the elemental identification, the EDX spectra showed the presence of C and O with strong Ti peaks. From the MALDI-TOF mass spectrum of the fullerene/TiO2 composite, the observation of the peak due to titanium trace appeared at 878.7 and 894.8 m/z. This is also consistent with the elemental compositions of C60.(TiO2)2 and C60.O(TiO2)2. From the photocatalytic results, the excellent activity of the fullerene/TiO2 composites for organic dye and UV irradiation time could be attributed to both the effects between the photocatalysis of the supported TiO2 and the absorptivity of the fullerene.