Synthesis and photocatalytic performance of titanium dioxide nanofibers and the fabrication of flexible composite films from nanofibers

Titanium dioxide nanofibers were synthesized and applied in flexible composite films that are easy to handle and recycle after use. The nanofibers were obtained in a multi-step procedure. First, sodium titanate nanofibers were prepared from TiO ² nanoparticles through the alkali hydrothermal method. In the next step, sodium hydrogen titanate nanofibers were made by washing the sodium titanate nanofibers in HCl solution. Finally, the sodium hydrogen titanate nanofibers were transformed to TiO ² anatase nanofibers by calcination in air. The photocatalytic activity of TiO ² anatase nanofibers were evaluated and compared to a TiO ² nanoparticle catalyst by decomposing methyl orange dye in aqueous solutions. The achieved reaction rate constant of TiO ² anatase nanofibers was comparable to that of Degussa P25. Paper-like flexible composite films were prepared by co-filtrating aqueous dispersions of TiO ² catalyst materials and cellulose. The composite films made from the nanofibers exhibit better mechanical integrity than those of the nanoparticle-cellulose composites.