Fiber-like TiO2 Nanomaterials with Different Crystallinity Phases Fabricated via a Green Pathway

Fiber-like TiO2 nanomaterials were designed and created, for the first time, by in situ synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles in regenerated cellulose fibers in the wet state, followed by calcination at 400-800 degrees C to remove the cellulose matrix. The cellulose fibers were prepared in an NaOH/urea aqueous system with cooling via an industrial machine. The structure and properties of the fiber-like TiO2 nanomaterials were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photocatalytic degradation tests. The results revealed that the mean diameter of the fiber-like TiO2 nanomaterials, which consisted of TiO2 nanoparticles with nanomaterials exhibited different crystallinity phases from anatase to a mean size from 21 to 37 nm, was 7-8 mu m. The TiO2 rutile, depending on the calcinating temperature. With a decrease in the calcinating temperature from 800 to 400 degrees C, the surface area of the TiO2 nanomaterials increased. The photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange of the anatase T-400 fibers calcined at 400 degrees C was the highest, compared with that at 600 and 800 degrees C. This work provided a simple and green pathway for the preparation of inorganic nanomaterials with different crystal structures by using porous regenerated cellulose matrix.