Electrospun polymeric nanofibrous composites containing TiO2 short nanofibers

In this study, polymeric nanofibrous composites containing anatase TiO2 short nanofibers (TiO2-SNF) were successfully produced via electrospinning. The fabrication of the nanofibrous composite structure includes two steps. First, anatase TiO2 nanofibers were obtained by calcination of electrospun PVP/TiO2 nanofibers and then crushed into short nanofibers ranging from few microns in length. Second, these TiO2-SNF were dispersed into polymer solutions and then electrospun into nanofibrous composites. We obtained nanofibers containing TiO2-SNF from different polymer types including PMMA, PAN, PET and PC. The SEM and TEM imaging indicated that some of the TiO2-SNF were fully covered by the polymeric matrix whereas some TiO2-SNF were partially covered and/or stick on the surface of the fibers. The photocatalytic activity of nanofibrous composites containing TiO2-SNF was evaluated by monitoring the photocatalytic decomposition of a model dye (rhodamine-6G) under UV irradiation. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.