Electrospun TiO2 embedded nanofibers for photocatalytic applications

The development of photocatalysts with low cost, high reactivity and easy recovery provides great potentials for environmental remediation. In this study, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers containing titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were successfully fabricated using a facile electrospinning technique. The effects of TiO2 content, PAN concentration and thermal treatment on the adsorption and photocatalysis properties of PAN/TiO2 nanofibers have been investigated. The results indicate that the embedded TiO2 nanofibers possess the property to effectively decompose rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated sunlight irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the loading of TiO2 nanoparticles and the property of polymer matrix.