Synthesis and optical property of NaTaO3 nanofibers prepared by electrospinning

This paper describes a procedure of preparing sodium tantalite nanofibers for the first time. Sodium tantalite nanofibers were synthesised by electrospinning a sol-gel precursor solution of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)/sodium tantalite, followed by careful sintering of the as-electrospun composite fibers at 550 A degrees C for 3 h. The morphology, microstructure and crystal phase were investigated by transmission electron microcopy and X-ray diffraction. The optical property was characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrometer. Typical nanofibers were with diameter between 70 and 90 nm and length exceeding 0.1 mm. An unusual phenomenon, the red-shift of optical absorption band edge happened, indicated the fabricated NaTaO3 nanofibers were potential good candidates for photocatalytic application. The experiment photodegradation of methylene blue by NaTaO3 nanofibers under UV light irradiation was performed.