Effects of polymer media on electrospun mesoporous titania nanofibers

Titania nanofibers were fabricated via a polymer-assisted electrospinning technique. A mixture of titanium tetraisopropoxide and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) in an alcohol medium utilized as the sol–gel solution was ejected through a needle under a strong electrical field. Accompanied by solvent evaporation and sol–gel solidification, a highly charged polymer jet induces the formation of polymer/metal oxide nanofibers before reaching the ground electrode. The sintering process was carried out afterward to encourage the crystallization and phase transformation of titania, as well as the removal of polymer domains. Electrospinning processes and sintered titania nanofibers exhibited a strong relationship in the presence of polymer media. Process parameters and the characterizations of nanoconstructed titania, including fiber morphologies and mesoporous crystal structures, were investigated and discussed.