Photocatalysis, microstructure, and surface characterization of TiO₂‐loaded wooden‐activated carbon fibers

In this study, TiO₂‐loaded wooden‐activated carbon fibers (TiO₂/WACFs) were prepared by sol–gel method. TiO₂/WACFs were detected by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that TiO₂ was deposited on almost each WCAF with a coating thickness. All the TiO₂ films on the surface of WACFs were composed of anatase with high photocatalytic property. The characteristic adsorption peaks of nano‐TiO₂ emerged at 1,402 and 471 cm⁻¹ on the infrared spectrum of TiO₂/WACFs. It was also found that Ti was in the binding state of Ti⁴⁺ (TiO₂) in the TiO₂/WACFs. As the calcination temperature increased, the content of elements Ti and TiO bond of lattice oxygen on the surface of TiO₂/WACFs increased and then decreased, but the loaded nano‐TiO₂ did not affect the formation of graphite structure of WACFs. It is suggested that TiO₂/WACFs obtained at 450°C have the best photocatalytic property. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:62–68, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers