Preparation and characterization of photocatalytic carbon dots-sensitized electrospun titania nanostructured fibers

The carbon dots (CDs) are new functional carbon-aceous materials. Compared to conventional dye molecules and semiconductor quantum dots, CDs are superior in chemical inertness and low toxicity. The TiO2-CDs nanostructured fibers were fabricated by combining the electrospinning technique and reflux method. Compared with the pure TiO2 nanostructured fibers and P25, the TiO2-CDs nanostructured fibers exhibited enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of TiO2-CDs nanostructured fibers could be attributed to the presence of CDs embedded in TiO2 nanostructured fibers. The CD can work as a photosensitizer in the degradation. Furthermore, the TiO2-CDs nanostructured fibers could be easily handled and recycled due to their one-dimensional nanostructural property. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.