TiO2 nanofibre-assisted photodecomposition of Rhodamine B from aqueous solution

Using liquid phase deposition method on cellulose substrate, TiO₂ nanofibres were prepared with TiCl₄ as a precursor. TiO₂ nanofibres were obtained after heat treatment of the cellulose template. The remaining product was composed of micron-size TiO₂ fibres with a nanofiber microstructure. It is shown that nanofibres are formed through the aggregation of TiO₂ nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction analysis of the as-prepared solution indicates the formation of crystalline TiO₂ anatase phase. EDX analysis was employed to measure the adsorbed mass of TiO₂ on cellulose substrate. The effect of deposition time on the growth and morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy studies demonstrate fine microstructures composed of 10–15?nm?nanoparticles. Surface area of the TiO₂ fibres, measured by Brunauer, Emmett and Teller analysis, was about 104?m²?g^?1. Photodegradation of Rhodamine B as a standard dye shows that the prepared samples have a high photocatalytic activity due to large surface area.