Photocatalytic Activity of Biomorphic TiO2 Fibers Obtained by Ultrasound-Assisted Impregnation of Cellulose with Titanium Polyhydroxocomplexes

An ultrasound-assisted biotemplate method for producing biomorphic fibrous titanium oxide (TiO2) is reported. Wood pulp in the form of sheets was used as a biotemplate, and a solution of titanium hydroxocomplexes as a precursor. On completing the impregnation, the samples were dried and calcined at temperatures of 300-1000 degrees C. The process of obtaining fibrous TiO2, as well as its structure and textural properties, was investigated by DSC/TG analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption, while photocatalytic activity was studied using Rhodamine B dye degradation by UV irradiation. It is shown that the phase composition, textural and sorption characteristics of the biomorphic TiO2 samples essentially depend on the biotemplate annealing temperature. The TiO2 sample obtained at 600 degrees C is a mixture of anatase and rutile (with a ratio of 72 and 28%, respectively) and possesses the highest surface area, adsorption capacity, and photocatalytic activity with respect to Rhodamine B. All samples of biomorphic TiO2 are characterized by increased photocatalytic activity as compared to commercially available photocatalyst Degussa P25.