Abstract: In this paper, CA composite ultrafine fibers containing different TiO₂ nanoparticle (NP) contents were synthesized via electrospinning for effective dyeing water treatment. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images revealed that TiO₂ NPs were evenly dispersed on or into the composite ultrafine fibers. The results of XRD showed that the crystal structure of the TiO₂ NPs was tetragonal anatase. FTIR indicated that the introduction of TiO₂ did not affect the hydrophilic properties of CA and some interaction took place between CA and TiO₂. Thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis showed that the addition of TiO₂ improved the thermal stability of the CA ultrafine fibers. Photocatalytic degradation of the dye showed that the nanofibers had an excellent photocatalysis, with a degradation efficiency of the CA composite ultrafine fibers with 5 wt% TiO₂ as high as 90% after 240 min degradation.

Key words: electrospinning; photocatalytic; TiO₂; cellulose acetate; dye degradation