TiO2-loaded activated carbon fiber: Hydrothermal synthesis, adsorption properties and photo catalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Abstract TiO2-loaded activated carbon fibers (ACF) were prepared by a hydrothermal method. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). SEM images showed that the TiO2 nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of ACF, and the particle size and loading amount of TiO2 were varied by changing the initial concentration of tetrabutyl titanate (TBOT). The results of an ash experiment showed that the loading amounts of TiO2 were 18.4%, 43.3%, 52.5%, 75.1%, and 91.1% for initial concentrations of TBOT of 0.07, 014, 0.21, 0.28, and 0.35 mol/L, respectively. Physical interactions played an important role in the formation of TiO2/ACF composite fibers that absorb UV and visible light. Compared with those of ACF, improved adsorption and photocatalytic activity toward Rhodamine B (RhB) were observed for TiO2/ACF composite fiber. The Rhodamine B could be removed efficiently by TiO2/ACF composite fibers, and the TiO2 loading amount had a significant effect on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2/ACF composite fibers.