Photocatalytic Performance of Carbon Nanotube/Titanium Dioxide (CNTs/TiO2) Nanocomposites for Ammonium Phosphate Hydrolysis

This study demonstrates the synthesis of CNTs/TiO₂ nanocomposites (0–20 wt% CNT) via sol-gel method for photocatalytic hydrogen generation from tri-ammonium phosphate (TAP), a cost-effective and underexplored hydrogen source. Advanced characterization (TEM, XRD) confirmed the uniform deposition of TiO₂ nanoparticles on multiwalled CNTs, forming heterostructures that facilitate charge separation. Photocatalytic tests revealed a 2.3-fold increase in hydrogen yield at 15 wt% CNT loading compared to pure TiO₂, attributed to CNTs’ electron-conducting properties and suppressed charge recombination. The optimal nanocomposite demonstrated a hydrogen generation rate of 28.6 mmol·h⁻¹·g⁻¹, underscoring the synergy between CNTs and TiO₂. This work provides a strategy for designing efficient photocatalysts using TAP, a sustainable alternative to conventional hydrogen feedstocks.