Titanium (IV) oxide composite hollow nanofibres with silver oxide outgrowth by combined sol-gel and electrospinning techniques and their potential applications in energy and environment

A two-dimensional nanostructure composed of Ag2O nanobranches attached to TiO2 hollow nanofibres (denoted as 2D Ag2O/TiO2) was successfully prepared via sol-gel and coaxial electrospinning techniques. The Ag/TiO2 hollow nanofibres were fabricated and calcined in ambient air at 500 degrees C. By calcination, the removal of organic materials and the formation of anatase TiO2 were achieved with a well-retained hollow structure. The embedded Ag nanoparticles functioned as seeds for the Ag2O outgrowth on the TiO2 surface using a hydrothermal treatment at different times and temperatures, which caused the change in physical appearance, surface area, and electrical conductivity of 2D Ag2O/TiO2. A high quantity of Ag2O nanobranches on TiO2 nanofibres were obtained with increasing the temperature from 110 to 115 degrees C and the reaction time to 60 min. Consequently, the electrochemical active surface area (EASA) value was maximised to 65.25 cm(2) per cm(2) with an enhanced electrical conductivity of 91.3 +/- 3.9 x 10(-2) S cm(-1). Further studies on the depth-profiles of Ag, Ti, and O revealed the presence of Ag2O attached to the core structure of TiO2. The photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic tests confirmed the excellent physical and electrochemical properties of 2D Ag2O/TiO2 (@115 degrees C, 60 min) for use in energy and environmental applications.

Automated summary

A two-dimensional nanostructure composed of Ag2O nanobranches attached to TiO2 hollow nanofibres was prepared through sol-gel and coaxial electrospinning techniques. The Ag/TiO2 hollow nanofibres were calcined to achieve the formation of anatase TiO2 with a well-retained hollow structure. The hydrothermal treatment resulted in the growth of Ag2O nanobranches on the TiO2 surface, leading to changes in physical appearance, surface area, and electrical conductivity of 2D Ag2O/TiO2.