Preparation of continuous TiO2 fibers by sol-gel method and its photocatalytic degradation on formaldehyde

The continuous TiO2 fibers were prepared by sol-gel method using the tetrabutyl orthotitanate as the precursor. The sol-formation process is studied by FT-IR spectroscopy. The synthesized continuous TiO2 fibers were characterized using SEM, HRTEM and XRD. Results demonstrate that the titanate sol has good spinnability when R ≤ 2 (R = H2O:Ti(OC4H9)4, molar ratio). The fibers have the length of several meters and the diameter of about 30 μm. The fibers are a radial close-packed product of nano-particles with high crystallinity. The continuous TiO2 fibers are co-crystal including anatase phase and rutile phase. The formaldehyde degradation ratio of continuous TiO2 fiber was 98.6%.

► The continuous TiO2 fiber has a length of several meters. ► The polymer titanate collosol with molar ratio R ≤ 2 presents great spinnability. ► The continuous TiO2 fiber is a radial close-packed product of nano-particles. ► The formaldehyde degradation of the continuous TiO2 fiber is studied.