Preparation of TiO2–MoO3 composite nanofibers by water-based electrospinning process and their application in photocatalysis.

Coupling TiO 2 nanofibers with other semiconductor metal oxides can effectively extend the light absorbability of TiO 2 to the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. This study demonstrates the synthesis of TiO 2 –MoO 3 composite nanofibers via electrospinning using Ti and Mo water-soluble precursors. Aqueous solutions of these precursors were added to a PVP solution in N–N dimethylformamide. The mixture was electrospun, followed by annealing in air at 600 °C obtaining oxide nanofibers. The fibers were characterized via thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. The diameter of the TiO 2 –MoO 3 fibers was between 90 and 110 nm after annealing, Furthermore, methylene blue dye was used to investigate the photocatalytic activity of the fibers in visible light. TiO 2 –MoO 3 fibers showed the best photocalaytic activity with a rate constant of 0.0018 min−1 while pure TiO 2 and MoO 3 nanofibers had 0.0009 min−1 and 0.0008 min−1 respectively. [Display omitted] • Anatase TiO 2 , orthorhombic MoO 3 and TiO 2 –MoO 3 composite nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning. • Fibers degraded methylene blue in visible light. • TiO 2 –MoO 3 composite nanofibers showed highest photocatalytic activity. • Coupling TiO 2 –MoO 3 extends light absorption range and decreases charge recombination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]