Preparation of PVA/TiO₂ Composites Nanofibers by using Electrospinning Method for Photocatalytic Degradation

PVA/TiO₂ composites nanofibers have been prepared by using electrospinning method. Electrospinning was performed at a voltage of 15 kV, with a tip-collector distance of 14 cm. The PVA/TiO₂ composites nanofibers were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and EDAX. The results showed that PVA/TiO₂ composites nanofibers were successfully formed. SEM observation showed that the nanofibers has several hundred nanometers with a smooth surface and have TiO₂ nanoparticle distributed in the nanofibers. FTIR result shows a functional group of PVA and EDAX result demonstrates the presence of TiO₂ in the nanofibers. The photocatalytic activity of PVA/TiO₂ composites nanofibers were investigated for the degradation of methylene blue under UV light. The PVA/TiO₂ composite nanofibers suspending in the dye solution have dye removal of 70% dye was degraded in 5 h. As a comparison, the TiO₂ powder that has dye removal of 95% dye was degraded in 5 h. Photocatalytic activity of PVA/TiO₂ nanofiber was lower than TiO₂ powder, but PVA/TiO₂ nanofiber was more efficient than TiO₂ powder regarding process treatments photocatalytic.