Electrospun titania-zinc oxide nanofibers

Electrospinning of sol-gel solutions containing polymers and metal precursors can be utilized to fabricate metal-oxide nanofibers whose properties depend on experimental conditions and chemical compositions. Composite metal-oxide nanofibers have properties that can be tailored by varying ratio of metal precursors or calcination temperature. The titania-based composite fibers are attractive candidates for numerous applications, from photocatalytic to medical. We present morphological investigation of titania-zinc oxide nanofibers calcined at different temperatures, using SEM and BET methods. Extensive studies of structural properties by XRD and Raman scattering measurements reveal the amorphous nature of as-spun fibers, whereas in calcined samples crystalline titania phases (anatase and rutile) emerge, with their ratio dependent on the calcination temperature. The optical characteristics of nanofibers are examined using UV-visible spectroscopy, yielding consistent values for energy band gaps through the analysis of transmission and diffuse reflectance.