Fabrication of sustainable and multifunctional TiO2@carbon nanotube nanocomposite fibers

Abstract

UV resistant and photocatalytic TiO2/carbon nanotube nanohybrid (TiO2@CNT) fibers are developed by incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) onto CNT fibers (CNTFs). This process densifies the CNTFs, and increases the thermal stability and structural integrity of the resulting TiO2@CNTFs under UV exposure. As a result, the TiO2@CNTFs have mechanical and electrical properties that are more sustainable than those of pristine CNTFs under exposure to strong UV light, and have high and recyclable photocatalytic activity for degradation of organic dyes. These results indicate that incorporation of TiO2 NPs is an efficient strategy to increased long-term stability and applicability of CNTFs.