Formation of TiO2 nanotubes by thermal decomposition of poly(vinyl alcohol)-titanium alkoxide hybrid nanofibers

Anatase type TiO2 nanotubes were formed by calcination of poly(vinyl alcohol)-Ti alkoxide hybrid precursor nanofibers in air. The outer and inner diameters of the TiO2 nanotubes calcined at 500 °C for 5 h were ca. 440 nm and ca. 270 nm, respectively. The specific surface area of the TiO2 nanotubes was 38.8 m2/g, and the existence of mesopores (average pore diameter, 14.8 nm) on the nanotube wall was indicated by the nitrogen adsorption isotherm (−196 °C). The photocatalysis of the TiO2 nanotubes was superior to that of commercially available anatase type TiO2 nanoparticles.