ABSTRACT
146An immobilized titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst composed of stacked nanofibers on surface etched aluminum foil was evaluated in the present study for photocatalytic (PC) performance. TiO2 nanofibers were produced by electrospinning and subsequent controlled calcination. Decrease in specific surface area of the TiO2 photocatalyst was observed with increase in calcination temperature from 400°C to 500°C due to sintering of pores and surface aggregation. Increase in rutile crystalline phase and decrease in bandgap energy (Eg) was noted in TiO2 nanofibers calcined at temperature higher than 400°C. A maximum specific surface area (259 ± 23 m2-g-1) and highest Eg (3.24 eV) was recorded for TiO2 nanofibers calcined at 400°C (NF). The PC degradation rate of the nanofiber catalyst was twice that observed for TiO2 nanoparticles (of comparable specific surface area) in slurry. The PC degradation rate of the immobilized TiO2 nanofiber photocatalyst was not noted to change significantly after repeated use.
