Electrospun TiO2 Nanofibers in the Presence of Avocado Seed Extract

Abstract

The electrospinning technique is particularly prominent in membrane production techniques due to its easy applicability and ability to obtain nanofibers in various diameters with high surface area. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is often used in biomaterial technologies due to their high biocompatibility, high processability and their photocatalytic activities in waste water treatment. In this study, TTIP (Titanium tetra isopropoxide) was used as a TiO2 precursor and PVP polymer was used as a carrier polymer for electrospinning. Avocado seed extract (ASE) which is a new and valuable source of phenolic compounds was used for the coordination and reduction of TTIP. TiO2-PVP-Avocado seed extract (T/P/A) composite nanofibers were produced at different voltages, distances and polymer concentrations. Crystalline TiO2 formation was not observed in as-spun nanofibers, thus selected nanofibers were heat treated at 500oC for 3 h. Smooth and integrated TiO2 nanofibers prepared by using 5 w% PVP, at 15 kV and 15 cm distance with or without ASE were imaged by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). X-ray Diffraction (XRD) patterns of heat-treated TiO2 nanofibers prepared in the presence of ASE were crystallized mainly in anatase form. However, both anatase and rutile phases were obtained in the crystalline structure of TiO2 nanofibers when ASE was not used. Specific IR vibrations of TiO2 were shown by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). These green synthesized electrospun TiO2 nanofibers may have potential to be used in biomaterial and engineering applications.