Fabrication and Photocatalytic Properties of Electrospun Fe-Doped TiO(2) Nanofibers Using Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone Precursors

For the removal of pollutants, a modified TiO(2) photocatalyst is attracting attention. Fe-doped TiO(2) nanofibers were prepared through a combination of electrospinning and calcination. Morphological characterization of the sample was conducted using field-emission scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. The crystal structure of each sample was analyzed using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and Fast Fourier Transform imaging. The average diameter of the Fe-doped TiO(2) nanofibers was measured to be 161.5 nm and that of the pure TiO(2) nanofibers was 181.5 nm. The crystal phase when heat treated at 350 °C was anatase for TiO(2) nanofibers and rutile for Fe-doped TiO(2) nanofibers. The crystal phase of the TiO(2) matrix was easily transitioned to rutile by Fe-doping. The photocatalytic performance of each sample was compared via the photodegradation of methylene blue and acid orange 7 under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation. In the Fe-doped TiO(2) nanofibers, photodegradation rates of 38.3% and 27.9% were measured under UV irradiation and visible light, respectively. Although other catalysts were not activated, the photodegradation rate in the Fe-doped TiO(2) nanofibers was 9.6% using acid orange 7 and visible light. For improved photocatalytic activity, it is necessary to study the concentration control of the Fe dopant.