Effects of synthesis parameters and secondary metal doping on physical and chemical properties of the electrospun titanium (IV) oxide nanofibers

Abstract

Sol-gel and electrospinning techniques are incorporated to produce titanium (IV) oxide/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) composite nanofibers from solution containing PVP and titanium tetraisopropoxide. The average diameters of the obtained composite fibers are in the range of 145 to 350 nm. When concentration is increased, fiber diameter increases with broader size distribution. Increasing electric field strength results in an decrease in fiber diameter but more narrow size distribution. Calcination of the composite fibers at 500 ํC results in anatase titania nanofibers with a trace amount of rutile. The crystallinity and rutile content of all titania fibers are increased, while the average fiber diameter is decreased, with an increase in the calcination temperature. Silicon doping in titania fibers reduces the fiber diameter, while increases crystallinity, surface area, and thermal stability of fibers. Finally, the addition of silicon results in enhanced photocatalytic activity of methylene blue decomposition.