Photocatalytic Properties of Zr-Doped TiO₂ Fabrics Prepared by a Template Method

Viscose fabrics were used as templates to prepare bare and Zr-doped TiO2 fabrics. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffractrometer, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometry, and UV-vis/diffuse absorption, while the photocatalytic efficiency was evaluated using methylene blue (MB) as the model compound. The samples exhibit the same tricot configuration as the templates and show good catalytic efficiency. Small amounts of Zr doping favored the light adsorption of these fabrics. The doped Zr shifted the beginning of the anatase-to-rutile transformation temperature and suppressed the crystal growth of TiO2. The 18 wt% Zr-doped TiO2 fabrics exhibited the highest efficiency of MB degradation among the samples.