TiO2 Microspheres Grown on Cellulose-Based Carbon Fibers: Preparation, Characterizations and Photocatalytic Activity for Degradation of Indigo Carmine Dye

We describe a facile pathway to grow TiO2 microspheres onto the surface of cellulose-based carbon fibers. These microspheres with diameters ranging from 0.65 to 1.45 mu m show pure anatase phase. As an example of potential applications, the cellulose-based carbon fibers supported TiO2 microspheres (coded as CCF/TMS) were employed as a photocatalyst to degrade indigo carmine dye in aqueous solution under UV radiation. The results show that the dark blue dye solution rapidly turned colorless within 40 min. Moreover, a faster decomposition rate of indigo carmine dye was acquired when using CCF/TMS, as compared to commercially available TiO2 P25 and anatase TiO2. In addition, CCF/TMS shows good shape stability during the whole photocatalytic reaction, which provides convenience for recovery processing. This work provides an eco-friendly, low-cost and high-efficiency photocatalyst for environmental remediation.