Development of optimized triaxially electrospun titania nanofiber-in-nanotube core-shell structure

One dimensional (1D) nanostructures and its derivatives can be manipulated to serve special functions like hollow structure, and higher surface area. 1D TiO2 nanotube-in-nanofibers (NF@NT) are developed through triaxial electrospinning followed by a calcination process. A blended solution of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and tetra-butyl titanate is used in outer and inner layers of nanofibers, respectively, while paraffin oil is used in the middle layer. The optimized triaxial nanofibers of 669.4 +/- 52.43 nm are developed at 7.5 w/w% concentration, 28 kV applied voltage, and 24 cm spinning distance. TiO2 NF@NT structure is obtained through calcination of optimized triaxial nanofibers at 550 degrees C. Subsequently, the morphology of TiO2 NF@NT and its uniform diameter distribution is confirmed through scanning electron microscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results indicates the formation of TiO2 NF@NT. X-Rays diffraction pattern peaks also reveals the presence of both anatase and rutile crystalline phases. The presence of only titanium (Ti) and oxygen (O) elements in the TiO2 NF@NT is confirmed through energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis indicates that TiO2 NF@NT has a higher specific surface area of similar to 141.68 m(2)/g compared with the solid TiO2 nanofiber (similar to 75.31 m(2)/g). This study can be adopted to develop TiO2 NF@NT for wide range of application.