TiO2 nanoparticles loaded on graphene/carbon composite nanofibers by electrospinning for increased photocatalysis

摘要

Graphene/carbon composite nanofibers (CCNFs) with attached TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2-CCNF) were prepared, and their photocatalytic degradation ability under visible light irradiation was assessed. They were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse spectroscopy. The results suggest that the presence of graph-ene embedded in the composite fibers prevents TiO2 particle agglomeration and aids the uniform dispersion of TiO2 on the fibers. In the photodegradation of methylene blue, a significant increase in the reaction rate was observed with TiO2-CCNF materials under visible light. This increase is due to the high migration efficiency of photoinduced electrons and the inhibition of charge-carrier recombination due to the electronic interaction between TiO2 and graphene. The TiO2-CCNF materials could be used for multiple degradation cycles without a decrease in photocatalytic activity.