Heteroatom-engineered SWCNT/TiO2 heterojunctions for enhanced photocatalytic charge transfer and pollutant photodegradation
Abstract
Semiconductor/carbon heterojunctions are powerful photocatalysts for environmental remediation; however, the link between the interfacial characteristics of both components (e.g., presence of surface functionalities) and photocatalytic performance remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates TiO₂/carbon heterojunctions formed on surface-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (sf-SWCNTs), focusing on how heteroatom doping (-O, -N, -P) of the carbon material modulates the heterojunction's photocatalytic properties. The structural analysis of the materials confirmed the formation of the heterojunction, characterized by the crystalline fingerprint of TiO2 and the graphitic lattice of the sf SWCNTs. The surface chemistry analysis identified carboxyl/anhydride, pyridinic/pyrrolic nitrogen, and COPO3/CPO3 groups as key surface functionalities of the heterojunctions, leading to enhanced visible-light absorption and charge-carrier separation. The photocatalytic tests for the degradation of a model cationic organic pollutant highlighted TiO2/O-SWCNT as the most efficient photocatalyst to achieve mineralization within 2 h, while maintaining high activity across multiple continuous cycles and facile regeneration. Scavenger studies revealed that surface functionalization promotes interfacial charge transfer, favoring both radical-mediated and direct hole oxidation pathways. Overall, this study outlines the role of heteroatom functionalities in tailoring the optical and electronic properties of TiO2/carbon heterojunctions, ultimately providing valuable insights for the rational design of advanced photocatalysts.
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BibTeX
@article{abreujauregui2026heteroatomengineered,
title = {{Heteroatom-engineered SWCNT/TiO2 heterojunctions for enhanced photocatalytic charge transfer and pollutant photodegradation}},
author = {C. Abreu-Jaureguí and Conchi O. Ania and J. Silvestre-Albero and Antonio Sepúlveda-Escribano},
journal = {Carbon},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.carbon.2026.122212},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05802181v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Heteroatom-engineered SWCNT/TiO2 heterojunctions for enhanced photocatalytic charge transfer and pollutant photodegradation
AU - C. Abreu-Jaureguí
AU - Conchi O. Ania
AU - J. Silvestre-Albero
AU - Antonio Sepúlveda-Escribano
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Carbon
DO - 10.1016/j.carbon.2026.122212
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05802181v1
AB - Semiconductor/carbon heterojunctions are powerful photocatalysts for environmental remediation; however, the link between the interfacial characteristics of both components (e.g., presence of surface functionalities) and photocatalytic performance remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates TiO₂/carbon heterojunctions formed on surface-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (sf-SWCNTs), focusing on how heteroatom doping (-O, -N, -P) of the carbon material modulates the heterojunction's photocatalytic properties. The structural analysis of the materials confirmed the formation of the heterojunction, characterized by the crystalline fingerprint of TiO2 and the graphitic lattice of the sf SWCNTs. The surface chemistry analysis identified carboxyl/anhydride, pyridinic/pyrrolic nitrogen, and COPO3/CPO3 groups as key surface functionalities of the heterojunctions, leading to enhanced visible-light absorption and charge-carrier separation. The photocatalytic tests for the degradation of a model cationic organic pollutant highlighted TiO2/O-SWCNT as the most efficient photocatalyst to achieve mineralization within 2 h, while maintaining high activity across multiple continuous cycles and facile regeneration. Scavenger studies revealed that surface functionalization promotes interfacial charge transfer, favoring both radical-mediated and direct hole oxidation pathways. Overall, this study outlines the role of heteroatom functionalities in tailoring the optical and electronic properties of TiO2/carbon heterojunctions, ultimately providing valuable insights for the rational design of advanced photocatalysts.
SN - 0008-6223
ER -