The formation mechanism and photocatalytic properties of a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/TiO2- based nanotube (TNTs) composite are investigated. The CNT/TNT composite is synthesized via a solution chemical route. It is confirmed that this 1-D nanotube composite has a core-shell nanotubular structure, where the TNT surrounds the CNT core. The photocatalytic activity investigated based on the methylene blue degradation test is superior to that of with pure TNT. The CNTs play two important roles in enhancing the photocatalytic activity. One is to act as a template to form the core-shell structure while titanate nanosheets are converted into nanotubes. The other is to act as an electron reservoir that facilitates charge separation and electron transfer from the TNT, thus decreasing the electronhole recombination efficiency.

Modified inert gas condensation method was used to produce the nanocluster composites of . High-resolution TEM, SEM and catalytic measurements have been used to characterize the samples and study the synergistic effect between the CuO phase and (ceria) support. By varying the He pressure, the heating temperature and configuration of the heating boats inside the modified gas condensation chamber, nanoclusters of varying sizes, shapes and composition can be produced. The composition and nanostructured morphology were shown to influence the catalytic properties of the system. A copper content around 10 at% with a morphology that favors high-energy surfaces of ceria is shown to be beneficial for a high catalytic activity.

An optimum route to fabricate the ferrous alloy dispersed nanocomposites such as /Fe-Ni and /Fe-Co with sound microstructure and desired properties was investigated. The composites were fabricated by the sintering of powder mixtures of and nano-sized ferrous alloy, in which the alloy was prepared by solution-chemistry routes using metal nitrates powders and a subsequent hydorgen reduction process. Microstructural observation of reduced powder mixture revealed that the Fe-Ni or Fe-Co alloy particles of about 20 nm in size homogeneously surrounded , forming nanocomposite powder. The sintered /Fe-Ni composite showed the formation of Fe phase, while the reaction phases were not observed in /Fe-Co composite. Hot-pressed /Fe-Ni composite showed improved mechanical properties and magnetic response. The properties are discussed in terms of microstructural characteristics such as the distribution and size of alloy particles.