Cotton fibers nano-TiO2 composites prepared by as-assembly process and the photocatalytic activities

This paper describes photocatalytic cotton fibers produced by a TiO2 nanoparticle self-assembly process with the assistance of carboxylic groups. The carboxylic group was introduced by a displacement reaction, the molecular structure of the glucose unit was studied by utilizing solid 13C NMR. The appearance of the prepared fibers was observed by scanning electron microscopy, it was found that nano-TiO2 coated uniformly on the fiber surface. The loading amount of nano-TiO2 was depended on the displacement degree of C-6-OH. UV–Vis experiments showed these coated fibers undergo photocatalysis efficiently. The degradation reaction of Rhodamine 6G under UV light obeys the zero-order rate law.

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► TiO2 nanoparticles self-assemble process under the assistant of carboxylic group.
► The carboxylic group was introduced by displacement reaction.
► The loading amount of nano-TiO2 was depended on the displacement degree of C-6-OH.
► UV–Vis experiments showed these fibers had efficient photocatalysis.
► The degradation reaction Rhodamine 6G under UV light obeys zero-order rate law.