Electrospinning preparation and characterization of a new kind of composite nanomaterials: One-dimensional composite nanofibers doped with TiO2 nanoparticles and Ru(II) complex

One-dimensional composite nanomaterials, PVP (poly(vinylpyrrolidone)) fibers with diameters in the range of ∼300–500 nm doped with RuL2(NCS)2 (L = 4,4′-Dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine) complex and TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), were prepared by electrospinning technique. The morphology of the composite nanofibers was systemically studied when the diameters of TiO2 NPs, the concentrations of TiO2 NPs and RuL2(NCS)2 in the PVP matrix were changed. A new kind of organic–inorganic composite nanomaterials which combine the advantages of one-dimensional nanostructures, organic materials and inorganic materials was obtained and it is desirable for low-weight and flexible photovoltaic devices, especially for dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cells.