High reusability and durability of carbon-doped TiO2/carbon nanofibrous film as visible-light-driven photocatalyst

The light response range, reusability, and durability of photocatalyst are the key issues for its practical application. To address these problems, the C-doped TiO2/carbon nanofibrous (CTCNF) film with incorporation of C-doped TiO2 nanoparticles into carbon nanofibers was prepared by electrospinning and calcination (pre-oxidation and carbonization). All the obtained CTCNF films exhibited a promising light absorption in ultraviolet-visible region. With optimization of carbonization temperature, the CTCNF film carbonized at 800 degrees C (CTCNF-800) showed a strongest light absorption. Consequently, the CTCNF-800 possessed a highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 94.2% for degradation of rhodamine B. In addition, the CTCNF-800 possessed excellent flexibility and deserved mechanical strength, and hence, the CTCNF-800 could be easily segregated from solution and recycled. Satisfyingly, its degradation efficiency still exceeded 92% after using for six cycles, implying that the CTCNF had excellent reusability and well stability. Besides, the degradation efficiency was over 90% after the CTCNF-800 kept in air without illumination for 1year, indicating its outstanding durability. The CTCNF film photocatalyst demonstrates tremendous potential in practical application for purification of wastewater.