Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of Zn2+ doped anatase TiO2 nanofibers

Zn2+ doped TiO2 nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning followed by calcination. The results of TGA, FE-SEM, XRD and XPS indicated that the obtained nanofibers with diameter in range of 50–150 nm were composed of anatase TiO2 phase and Zn2+ doping in TiO2 did not distort the pristine crystal structure of TiO2. Besides methylene blue (MB) was employed to investigate photocatalytic properties of the obtained samples. The results revealed that Zn2+ doped TiO2 nanofibers had excellent photocatalytic activity, which was symbolized by an optimum photodegradation efficiency of 96.1% under Zn2+ doping concentration of 2 at.%. The photocatalytic efficiency of 2 at.% Zn2+ doped TiO2 nanofibers still exceeded 95% after using for five times.