Photocatalytic Decomposition of Methylene Blue by Nanocomposite Fibers Containing TiO₂

Abstract

This study investigated the incorporation of nanoscale titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles, a well-known photocatalyst, into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers via electrospinning for the development of self-cleaning textile materials that can decompose organic contaminants and stains on the textile surface by light irradiation. TiO₂/PVA nanocomposite fiber webs were fabricated from a PVA solution containing 5wt% TiO₂ nanoparticles at a web area density of 3.0g/㎡. The morphology of electrospun nanocomposite fibers was examined using a field-emission scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope. The photocatalytic decomposition efficiency of the nanocomposite fibers was examined by decomposition rates of methylene blue in aqueous solution under UV light irradiation. Also, the nanocomposite fibers were contaminated by methylene blue, and the color change of methylene blue on the fibers was assessed with time of light exposure. Methylene blue solution that contained TiO₂/PVA nanocomposite fibers exhibited much lower absorbance and thus gave a higher decomposition rate compared to that with pure PVA nanofiber webs after 12 hours of irradiation. TiO₂/PVA nanocomposite fibers contaminated by methylene blue also showed a photocatalytic property for the colorant after 24 hours of irradiation. The results indicate that TiO₂/PVA nanocomposite fiber webs have potential in medical textiles and automotive textiles that require self-cleaning properties.