Room-temperature embedment of anatase titania nanoparticles into porous cellulose aerogels

In this paper, a facile easy method for room-temperature embedment of anatase titania (TiO2) nanoparticles into porous cellulose aerogels was reported. The obtained anatase TiO2/cellulose (ATC) aerogels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption measurements, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that high-purity anatase TiO2 nanoparticles with sizes of 3.69 +/- A 0.77 nm were evenly dispersed in the cellulose aerogels, which leaded to the significant improvement in specific surface area and pore volume of ATC aerogels. Meanwhile, the hybrid ATC aerogels also had a high loading content of TiO2 (ca. 17.7 %). Furthermore, through a simple photocatalytic degradation test of indigo carmine dye under UV light, ATC aerogels exhibited superior photocatalytic activity and shape stability, which might be useful in some fields like governance of water pollution, and chemical leaks.