Gold-decorated TiO₂ nanofibrous hybrid for improved solar-driven photocatalytic pollutant degradation

TiO₂-based nanomaterials are among the most promising photocatalysts for degrading organic dye pollutants. In this work, Au-TiO₂ nanofibers were fabricated by the electrospinning technique, followed by calcination in air at 500 °C. Morphological and structural analyses revealed that the composite consists of TiO₂ nanofibers with embedded Au nanoparticles that are extensively distributed throughout the porous fibrous structure of TiO₂. The photocatalytic performance of these Au-embedded TiO₂ nanofibers was evaluated in the photodegradation of Rhodamine B and methylene blue under solar simulator irradiation. Compared with pristine TiO₂ nanofibers, the Au-embedded TiO₂ nanofibers displayed far better photocatalytic degradation efficiency. The plasmon resonance absorption of Au nanoparticles in the visible spectral region and the effective charge separation at the heterojunction of the Au-TiO₂ hybrid are the key factors that have led to the considerable enhancement of the photocatalytic activity. The results of this study clearly demonstrate the potential of Au-TiO₂ electrospun nanofibers as solar-light-responsive photocatalysts for the effective removal of dye contaminants from aquatic environments.