Synthesis, characterisation and separation of photoreactive Hydrogen-titanate nanofibrous channel

Abstract

Australia is the world's largest wool producing country, accounting for about 25–30% of world production. As a biotemplate, we explored the possibility of using wool to produce micro-channel of Hydrogen-titanate nanofibres through morphology transcription of wool microfibres. Hydrothermal method was adopted to synthesise titanate nanofibres. A facile method of impregnation followed by incineration at 600°C was utilised to prepare the nanofibrous channel. Anatase undoped nanofibrous (average nanofibre diameter=44nm) channel of around 50μm in length and an average diameter of 9.5μm were obtained. The photocatalytic activity of nanofibrous channel was monitored under UV irradiation for the decomposition of humic acid in aqueous solution using an aerobic batch reactor system. The photodegradation results showed that UV254 absorbing moeities and DOC were respectively reduced by 82% and 66% after 3h of photoreaction at 1g/L catalyst load. The novel nanofibrous channel could be easily separated from the aqueous suspension by sedimentation after the end of the photocatalytic reaction.