Electrospun titania nanofibres : synthesis and characterization

• Main Author: Tay, Yi Hong.
• Other Authors: Srinivasan Madhavi
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Materials
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/38564
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Metal oxide materials have derived considerable attention from scientists in recent years due to their potential in functional device applications. Titanium dioxide, also known as titania, is one example and its versatility in diverse applications such as photocatalyst and lithium ion batteries has been well documented. Specifically, one dimensional titania nanostructures have shown immense promise in these areas and various approaches have been taken to synthesize this form of nanostructure. Electrospinning boasts a combination of simplicity and versatility for such an approach. The aims of this project were to fabricate one dimensional titania nanofibres via electrospinning and characterize them, before conducting post-hydrothermal treatment on these fibres to produce mesoporous structure with high surface area. The fibres were synthesized by electrospinning a polymer solution containing titanium alkoxide precursor, alcohol and acid followed by calcination at high temperature. Characterization of the calcined fibres was performed using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). Following which, optimization of the synthesis parameters was discussed. In the second phase of the project, nitrogen sorption surface area and porosity analysis and TEM imaging were conducted on the post treated fibres to determine suitability for application testing. The solution flow rate and applied voltage were key parameters in determining the fibre morphology, thickness and uniformity whereas the calcination temperature was vital when evaluating the fibres’ crystallinity, purity and weight percentage of anatase phase. The calcined fibres that were further subjected to hydrothermal treatment with NaOH medium was recommended for future work in applications testing.