The formation of titanium dioxide crystallite nanoparticles during activation of PAN nanofibers containing titanium isopropoxide

摘要

Activated carbon (AC) can act as an important carrier for TiO₂ nanoparticles. TiO₂ nanoparticle can be fabricated by the hydrolysis and condensation of titanium alkoxides like titanium isopropoxide. This study showed that the formation of titanium dioxide crystallite nanoparticle during activation of PAN nanofibers containing titanium isopropoxide leads to the formation of mainly anatase crystal TiO₂ nanoparticle in AC nanofibers, with a good dispersion in both the longitude and cross section of nanofibers. The TiO₂ crystallite size lies in the range of 7.3–11.3 nm. The dispersion of TiO₂ nanoparticles in the matrix of AC nanofibers is far superior to the direct mixing of TiO₂ nanoparticles in the original electrospinning solution.