Carbon–Inorganic Hybrid Materials: The Carbon‐Nanotube/TiO₂ Interface

A nondestructive, simple process for the synthesis of CNT–TiO2 and various other hybrid materials, using benzyl alcohol as surfactant (see figure), is described. π−π interactions enable the use of pristine CNTs without the need of covalent functionalization. Furthermore, benzyl alcohol acts as a growth inhibitor to produce very small and uniform rutile nanocrystals without too great a reduction of the anatase to rutile transformation. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2089/2008/adma200702835_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.