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.