CNT-embedded hollow TiO2 nanofibers with high adsorption and photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation

Hollow TiO2 nanofibers with embedded carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared for use as photocatalysts through electrospinning, impregnation, and calcination using multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs) with various ratios of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP), and further characterized by SEM, TGA, BET and XRD. The results demonstrated the successful fabrication of hollow TiO2 nanofibers with embedded CNTs. The CNT-embedded hollow TiO2 nanofibers prepared in this study exhibited improved photocatalytic activity compared to plain hollow TiO2 nanofibers based on the conversion of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution under UV irradiation. The highest degradation ratio produced by the CNT-embedded hollow TiO2 nanofibers was approximately 62% after 70 min, which represented an increase of more than 80% over that of TiO2. It was found that the enhanced efficiency of MB removal could be attributed not only to the adsorption capability of the CNTs but also to electron transfer between the CNTs and the TiO2. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.