Low-temperature deposition of anatase on nanofiber materials for photocatalytic NOX removal

Anatase TiO2 coatings were grown on electrospun polymeric nanofibers (polyamide 6, polystyrene, and polyurethane) via heterogeneous nucleation in an acidic aqueous solution of titanium oxysulfate at 60 C. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed a nanocrystalline anatase structure, and scanning electron microscopy observations revealed continuous coverage of the nanofiber surfaces by TiO2. The morphology of the TiO2 coatings was affected by the nature of the polymer. In all cases, the coatings generated hydroxyl radicals when irradiated with ultraviolet radiation. The materials were used for the photocatalytic oxidative removal of gaseous NO from air under irradiation at 365 nm. The functionalized polyamide 6 and polystyrene nanofibers were the most effective materials for converting NO to NO2 and HNO3. Based on our results, the anatase-coated nanofibers are promising materials for the removal of NO pollutants from air. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.