Electrospun composite nanofibers prepared by varying concentrations of TiO2/ZnO solutions for photocatalytic applications
M.V. Someswararao, R.S. Dubey, P. Srinivasa Subbarao
Abstract
We present the electrospinning preparation and investigation of metal oxides TiO2 (T), ZnO (Z) and TiO2/ZnO (TZ) composite nanofibers. For the fabrication of TZ composite nanofibers, different proportions of TiO2/ZnO solutions (1:1, 1:2, 2:1 and 1:3) are preferred. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of sample ‘T’ exhibited the mixed anatase and rutile phases while the wurtzite phase is examined in the sample ‘Z’. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) study evidenced the preparation of continuous and randomly oriented nanofibers whereas the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation endorsed the cylindrical morphology of the TZ13-sample with mean diameter of 230 nm. The lattice d-spacing is estimated to be 0.289 nm corresponding to the plane (100) of the hexagonal wurtzite ZnO while selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) analysis endorsed the polycrystalline nature of the TZ13 composite nanofibers. Finally, photodegradation of the Eriochrome black T dye was performed and the catalyst TZ13 showed about 85% photodegradation in 90 min as compared to TZ11, TZ12 and TZ21. This boosted photocatalytic activity is ascribed to the synergetic effect of the TiO2/ZnO composite nanofibers with their distinct morphology.