ochanda-controlledsynthesis-2012.pdf (2.37 MB)
Controlled synthesis of TiO2 hierarchical nanofibre structures via electrospinning and solvothermal processes : photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue
journal contribution
posted on 2012-01-01, 00:00 authored by Fredrick Ochanda, S Rajukada, Matthew BarnettMatthew BarnettThe present article describes a new titanium oxide‐based (TiO2) photocatalyst that shows promise for acceleration of dye degradation. A hierarchical TiO2 nanostructure comprising nanorods on‐nanofibres has been prepared using a sol–gel route and electrospinning. Calcination of electrospun nanobre mats was performed in air at 500 °C. The TiO2 nanofibre surface was then exploited as a ‘seeding ground’ to grow TiO2 nanorods by a solvothermal process in NaOH. The nanofibres had a diameter of approximately 100 nm while the nanorods were evenly distributed on the nanofibre surface with a mean diameter of around 50–80 nm. The hierarchical nanostructure showed enhanced photocatalytic activity when compared to pure TiO2 nanofibres. This improved efficiency in degrading methylene blue through the photocatalytic process was attributed to the larger specific surface area of the TiO2 nanostructures, as well as high surface‐to‐volume ratio and higher reactive surface resulting in enhanced surface adsorption and interfacial redox reaction.
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Journal
Nanomaterials and nanotechnologyVolume
2Pagination
1 - 10Publisher
InTechLocation
Rijeka, CroatiaISSN
1847-9804Language
engNotes
Reproduced with the kind permission of the copyright owner.Publication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2012, InTechUsage metrics
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titanium oxidehierarchical nanostructuresphotocatalystselectrospinningScience & TechnologyTechnologyPhysical SciencesNanoscience & NanotechnologyMaterials Science, MultidisciplinaryPhysics, AppliedScience & Technology - Other TopicsMaterials SciencePhysicsDYE REMOVALPHOTOOXIDATIVE DEGRADATIONENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONSTITANIA PHOTOCATALYSTACTIVATED CARBONARRAYSOXIDATIONEFFLUENTTEXTILE
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