Synthesis and photocatalytic applications of flower shaped electrospun ZnO–TiO2 mesostructures

We report the synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic application of ZnO–TiO2 electrospun materials. Flower shaped ZnO–TiO2 mesostructures were synthesized using an electrospinning technique, which is a well established and cost effective method for large scale production of 1-D nanomaterials. Calcination of the obtained electrospun ZnO–TiO2 nanofiber membrane was done in a furnace at 500 °C. Photodegradation of alizarin red S (ARS) was examined individually using ZnO (NPs), TiO2 (P25) and ZnO–TiO2 flowers. A comparison of the photocatalytic performance of the material with TiO2 (P25) and ZnO (NPs) showed that the nanoflower shaped structures were superior to commercially available P25 and ZnO (NPs). We expected that the material would have wide range of potential applications such as chemosensors, photonic crystals, UV–vis blockers, self-cleaning and organic synthesis.

► ZnO–TiO2 based hierarchical flower shaped mesostructures have been successfully synthesized by electrospinning. ► We have demonstrated ZnO–TiO2 flowers preparation, characterization and photocatalysis studies. ► Photocatalytic activity exhibited by the ZnO–TiO2 flowers was superior to that of pure ZnO nanoparticles.