Electrospun Mesoporous Composite CuO−Co₃O₄/N‐ TiO₂ Nanofibers as Efficient Visible Light Photocatalysts

Abstract

One-dimensional mesoporous composite CuO À Co 3 O 4 /N-TiO 2 nanofibers (CuCoNT NFs) have been fabricated by in situ sol À gel electrospinning technique. In our approach, both polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) are used as dual polymeric carrier matrix for the fabrication of electrospun CuCoNT NFs. PVP chains assist the electrospinning of the uniform composite nanofibers whereas PEG is responsible for mesoporosity which is confirmed by N 2 sorption analyses. Along with CuCoNT NFs, other nanofiber samples (TiO 2 NFs, NTiO 2 NFs, CuO/N-TiO 2 NFs, Co 3 O 4 /N-TiO 2 NFs) have also been fabricated for comparative studies. The morphology and composition of the NFs have been confirmed by the HR-TEM and XPS analyses. The red shifting of band gap energy from anatase TiO 2 NFs to composite CuCoNT NFs (1.57 eV) is suggesting formation of visible light response. Oxygen vacancies in CuCoNT NFs, leads to lowering the e À À h + recombination. The lowering of photoluminescence spectrum and high photocurrent response in CuCoNT NFs makes CuO as low cost cocatalyst. The composite CuCoNT NFs is treated as an efficient photocatalyst for swift degradation of mixed dyes in visible light, an exemplary move. Exactly, 100% mixed dyes (30 mg/L) degradation is achieved at pH 10 in just 60 minutes.

Electrospun TiO2‐Based Photocatalysts

“…Han's group [ 93 ] observed that N‐doped TiO 2 NFs hybridized with g‐C 3 N 4 nanosheets exhibited efficient photocatalytic H 2 production due to the enhanced light absorption and improved electron transport ability. In addition, Pradhan et al [ 94 ] found that the N dopant in TiO 2 NFs favored the formation of oxygen vacancies and helped trap photoexcited electrons from the CB of TiO 2 via nonradiative transition, which prevented electron–hole recombination and therefore enhanced photocatalytic activity.…”

Electrospun Fe2O3 Entrenched SiO2 Supported N and S Dual Incorporated TiO2 Nanofibers Derived from Mixed Polymeric Template/Surfactant: Enriched Mesoporosity within Nanofibers, Effective Charge Separation, and Visible Light Photocatalysis Activity

“…Researchers have utilized various nanodesigned materials such as nanorods, nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanowires, and nanoflowers for photocatalytic removal of pollutants and toxic elements. This is because nanodesigned materials have unique optical properties, such as sharp light-harvesting property and wide surface to volume ratio, and distinctive textural properties, such as surface area ( S A ). − Larger charge momentum, grain limits, swift ion distribution, and smart light absorption are the key properties which increase the great deal of attention in one-dimensional (1D) nanodesigned materials. , Metal oxide nanofibers (NFs) having 1D structure fabricated by electrospinning process have remarkable features such as mesoporosity, great surface area to volume ratio, and proficient catalytic support. ,, Electrospun anatase (∼3.2 eV) TiO 2 NFs, an example of metal oxide NFs, have been used as a photocatalyst and sensor. This is due to their semiconductor property, long-range photoresponse in the UV region, nontoxicity, and cost effectiveness. , It has been noted that TiO 2 NFs fabricated by electrospinning are more competent compared to TiO 2 .…”

“…These are (i) creation of mesoporosity within TiO 2 NFs as base photocatalyst, (ii) N and S dual incorporation as a visible light absorber, (iii) modification of Fe 2 O 3 as a promoter, (iv) introduction of SiO 2 as a mesoporous catalytic support, and (v) mixing all the above ingredients to form a stable mesoporous FeSiNST NFs photocatalyst. Mesoporosity and NFs morphology have great impact in photocatalysis applications. , This is because NFs morphology enables easy movement of the e – and h + on the catalyst surface, whereas mesoporosity enhances the S A and surface reactive sites. Moreover, mesoporosity and NFs enhance the light absorption property and charge transport ability.…”

Magnetic Nanofibers: Unique Properties, Fabrication Techniques, and Emerging Applications

“…They also have apparent magnetism, such as paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, diamagnetism, ferrimagnetism, single domain structure and coercivity ,. Because of these properties, magnetic powders and nanoparticles have potential applications in the preparation of magnetic fluids and magnetic memory materials, as well as environmental treatment, catalyst, and biomedicine …”

“…[4,5] Because of these properties, magnetic powders and nanoparticles have potential applications in the preparation of magnetic fluids and magnetic memory materials, [6][7][8] as well as environmental treatment, catalyst, and biomedicine. [9][10][11][12] Doping NFs with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) by nanotechnologies can incorporate the advantages of both NF and MNPs into MNFs. This strategy may also give rise to synergy effects between MNPs and magnetic powder.…”