Preparation of TiO2 nanoparticles modified electrospun nanocomposite membranes toward efficient dye degradation for wastewater treatment

New poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid)/carboxyl-functionalized graphene oxide nanocomposite membranes were prepared using electrospinning technique with thermal treatment and modified with TiO2 nanoparticles. The thus prepared composite membranes are composed of polymeric nanofibers with carboxyl-functionalized graphene oxide sheets, which are anchored on the fibers by heat-induced crosslinking reaction. The preparation process of the designed nanocomposites is facile, eco-friendly, and controllable. The TiO2 nanoparticles were deposited uniformly and homogeneously onto the surface of the obtained composite membranes. The as-prepared composite membranes demonstrate efficient photocatalytic capacity toward dye degradation, which is primarily due to the specific surface area of electrospun membranes and the photoactivity of TiO2 nanoparticles. In addition, the composite membranes reported here are easy to regenerate. In comparison with other composite catalysts, the present preparation process is highly eco-friendly and facile to operate and regulate, which demonstrates potential large-scale applications in wastewater treatment and dye removal. (C) 2017 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.