TiO2@carbon core/shell nanofibers: Controllable preparation and enhanced visible photocatalytic properties

Abstract

TiO₂@carbon core/shell nanofibers (TiO₂@C NFs) with different thinkness of carbon layers (from 2 to 8 nm) were fabricated by combining the electrospinning technique and hydrothermal method. The results showed that a uniform graphite carbon layer was formed around the electrospun TiO₂ nanofiber via C–O–Ti bonds. By adjusting the hydrothermal fabrication parameters, the thickness of carbon layer could be easily controlled. Furthermore, the TiO₂@C NFs had remarkable light absorption in the visible region. The photocatalytic studies revealed that the TiO₂@C NFs exhibited enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RB) compared with the pure TiO₂ nanofibers under visible light irradiation, which might be attributed to high separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes based on the synergistic effect between carbon as a sensitizer and TiO₂ with one dimension structure. Notably, the TiO₂@C NFs could be easily recycled due to their one-dimensional nanostructural property.