Photocatalytic and antifouling properties of electrospun TiO2 polyacrylonitrile composite nanofibers under visible light

Polyacrylonitrile and its TiO2 composites were electrospun into nanofibers in N, N’-dimethylformamide for photocatalysis antifouling experiments. The resultants characterized using field emission scanning microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, photoelectron spectroscopy contact angle analyses. confirmed the formation of polyacrylonitrile-TiO2 composite with their diameter ranging from 10 to 340 nm. results indicate O–Ti–C bonds on matrix. polyacrylonitrile nanofiber surfaces showed superhydrophobicity water 155 ± 1 154 1, respectively at 120 s. photocatalytic properties investigated under a simulated visible light source 1000 W/m2 methylene blue. About 90% blue was degraded within 3 h exposure while 55% degradation achieved nanofibers. Photoluminescence experiment conducted both materials that could produce OH radicals 10-fold compared Antimicrobial tests E. coli Bacillus sp. only hindered growth these bacteria greater effect Gram-positive bacterium, photo-degradation microbial inhibition material be used as an light.