Photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution of electrospun TiO2 nanofibers.
We report herein a simple procedure for the fabrication of TiO2 nanofibers by the combination of electrospinning and sol-gel techniques by using poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), titanium(IV) butoxide, and acetylacetone in methanol as a spinning solution. TiO2 nanofibers (260-355 nm in diameter), with a bundle of nanofibrils (20-25 nm in diameters) aligned in the fiber direction, or particle-linked structures were obtained from the calcination of as-spun TiO2/PVP composite fibers at temperatures ranging from 300 to 700 degrees C. These nanofibers were utilized as photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution. The nanofiber photocatalyst calcined at 450 degrees C showed the highest activity among the TiO2 nanofibers tested such as ones prepared by the hydrothermal method and anatase nanoparticles (Ishihara ST-01). These results indicate that one-dimensional electrospun nanofibers with highly aligned bundled nanofibrils are beneficial for enhancement of the crystallinity, large surface area, and higher photocatalytic activity.
Chuangchote
Surawut
S
Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
Jitputti
Jaturong
J
Sagawa
Takashi
T
Yoshikawa
Susumu
S
D002384:Catalysis; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D008027:Light; D008422:Materials Testing; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods; D012399:Rotation; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects
C009495:titanium dioxide; D006859:Hydrogen; D014025:Titanium; D000432:Methanol