Combined Nanofibers of Carbon Nanotube, Titania and Polymer Substrate for Oxidation of Toluene and Isopropyl Alcohol

摘要

Poly vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)-based carbon nanotube (CNT)-TiO2 (PCT) nanofibers with different mixing ratios of polymer to CNT were prepared using an electrospinning method coupled to hydrothermal treatment. The photocatalytic activity of the PCT nanofibers for oxidation of an indoor concentration level of toluene and isopropyl alcohol was examined under visible-light or UV exposure conditions. In addition, photocatalytic activities of a PVP-based TiO2 (PT) nanofiber and P25 TiO2 were also determined for comparison with those of PCT nanofibers. The as-prepared photocatalysts were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and diffuse reflectance UV-visible spectrophotometers. The as-prepared PCT nanofibers under visible as well as UV irradiation conditions exhibited higher photocatalytic activities as compared to two reference photocatalysts (PT nanofiber and P25 TiO2 film). Moreover, the photocatalytic oxidation efficiencies of toluene and isopropyl alcohol as determined via PCT nanofibers increased as the mixing ratios of polymer to CNT increased, suggesting that there would be the presence of an optimal ratio of polymer to CNT for the synthesis of PCT nanofibers. Overall, PCT nanofibers under visible light or UV irradiation could be effectively used for oxidation of gas-phase toluene and isopropyl alcohol.