PVP-derived TiO₂/C and TiO₂/C/N Nanofibers by SBS with High Adsorption/Photocatalytic Capacity

A solution blow spinning (SBS) process was utilized to create nanofibers of TiO₂/C and TiO₂/C/N with potential applications in photocatalysis and dye adsorption. Polyvinylpyrrolidone was used as a carbon and nitrogen source. Their content in the TiO₂ structure decreased as the temperature increased from 350 to 550 °C. Physical-chemical, morphological, and structural features were investigated. Adsorption and photodegradation experiments revealed that the material calcined at 400 °C had higher dye removal (98%) under dark settings, whereas the greater photodegradation efficiency under visible and UV light was 56% and 98%, respectively, for the sample calcined at 550 °C. The results suggest that the SBS has the potential to develop an efficient adsorbent and photocatalyst for use in treatments of contaminated water.

Keywords:
Polyvinylpyrrolidone; TiO₂/C; TiO₂/C/N; nanofibers; solution blow spinning; adsorption; photocatalysis