Functionalization of electrospun TiO2 nanofibers with Pt nanoparticles and nanowires for catalytic applications.
This paper reports a simple procedure for derivatizing the surface of anatase TiO2 nanofibers with Pt nanoparticles and then Pt nanowires. The nanofibers were prepared in the form of a nonwoven mat by electrospinning with a solution containing both poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and titanium tetraisopropoxide, followed by calcination in air at 510 degrees C. The fiber mat was then immersed in a polyol reduction bath to coat the surface of anatase fibers with Pt nanoparticles of 2-5 nm in size with controllable density of coverage. Furthermore, the coated fibers could serve as a three-dimensional scaffold upon which Pt nanowires of roughly 7 nm in diameter could be grown at a high density and with a length up to 125 nm. The fiber membranes functionalized with Pt nanoparticles and nanowires are interesting for a number of catalytic applications. It was found to show excellent catalytic activity for the hydrogenation of azo bonds in methyl red, which could be operated in a continuous mode by passing the dye solution through the membrane at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/s.
Formo
Eric
E
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.
Lee
Eric
E
Campbell
Dean
D
Xia
Younan
Y
D002384:Catalysis; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D010984:Platinum / Q000737:chemistry*; D012399:Rotation; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; C009495:titanium dioxide; D010984:Platinum; D014025:Titanium