Pulse laser irradiation of electrospun TiO2 nanofibers for the crystalline phase control and enhanced photocatalytic activity

• Polycrystalline TiO2 nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning.
• The mixed phase TiO2 nanofibers were prepared by pulse laser irradiation in liquid.
• The mixed phase TiO2 nanofibers showed the enhanced photocatalytic activity.

We introduce a facile crystalline phase control of electrospun TiO2 nanofibers as well as their enhanced photochemical responses via the combination of electrospinning and pulse laser irradiation in liquid (PLIL). We have successfully performed the transformation of the anatase phase into the rutile phase for electrospun TiO2 nanofibers driven by a PLIL process. Additionally, the mixed phase of TiO2 nanofibers showed an enhanced photocatalytic activity for decomposing methylene blue, compared with pure anatase and rutile TiO2 nanofibers.