Formation of TiO_2 nano fibers on a micro-channeled Al_2O_3-ZrO_2/TiO_2 porous composite membrane for photocatalytic nitration

摘要

In this study, needle-shape TiO_2 fibers were successfully fabricated inside a micro-channeled Al_2O_3-ZrO_2 composite porous membrane system using sol-gel method. The micro-channeled Al_2O_3-ZrO_2 composite was fabricated using the fibrous monolithic (FM) process. Pure anatase phase TiO_2 was crystallized from the as-coated amorphous phase during calcination at 510 C. The TiO_2 fibers grew on the surface frame of the micro-channeled Al_2O_3-ZrO_2 composite membrane and fully covered the inside of the micro-channeled pores. The specific surface area of the TiO_2 coated membrane system was dramatically increased by over 100 fold compared to that of the non-coated system. The photocatalytic activity of the membrane was also assessed and was shown to very effectively convert organic materials. Thus, this novel membrane holds promise for use as an advanced filtration system.