Electrospun Fe-doped TiO2/chitosan/PVA nanofibers: Preparation and study on photocatalytic and adsorption properties

Abstract

• Electrospun Fe-doped TiO 2 /CS/PVA nanofibers were successfully fabricated. • The nanofibers were applied for MB removal by using the combined methods. • The recycling process of the nanofibers was simple and efficient. Fe-doped TiO 2 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The nanofibers consisting of Fe-doped TiO 2 , chitosan, and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were successfully prepared using an electrospinning method. Analytical methods including SEM, EDS, TEM, XRD, IR, and TGA were used to characterize the properties of the materials. Fe-doped TiO 2 nanoparticles with an average diameter of 20 nm are well dispersed in the nanofibers with an average diameter of 177 nm. The materials were applied for methylene blue (MB) removal by using the combined methods of adsorption and photocatalysis. The total efficiency of MB removal is 94 wt% when the content of Fe-doped TiO 2 nanoparticles in nanofibers is 20 wt%. The recovery and reuse of the nanofibers have also been performed with ease and efficiency, indicating that Fe-doped TiO 2 /chitosan/PVA nanofibers would be potential materials for adsorbents and photocatalysts.