One-step low temperature hydrothermal synthesis of flexible TiO 2 /PVDF@MoS 2 core-shell heterostructured fibers for visible-light-driven photocatalysis and self-cleaning

Abstract

Novel flexible and recyclable core-shell heterostructured fibers based on cauliflower-like MoS 2 and TiO 2 /PVDF fibers have been designed through one-step hydrothermal treatment based on electrospun tetrabutyl orthotitanate (TBOT)/PVDF fibers. The low hydrothermal temperature avoids the high temperature process and keeps the flexibility of the as-synthesized materials. The formation mechanism of the resultant product is discussed in detail. The composite of MoS 2 not only expands the light harvesting window to include visible light, but also increases the separation efficiency of photo-generated electrons and holes. The as-prepared product has proven to possess excellent and stable photocatalytic activity in the degradation of Rhodamine B and levofloxacin hydrochloride under visible light irradiation. In addition, the TiO 2 /PVDF@MoS 2 core-shell heterostructured fibers exhibit self-cleaning property to dye droplets under visible light irradiation. Meanwhile, due to its hydrophobicity, the resultant product can automatically remove dust on its surface under the rolling condition of droplets. Hence, the as-prepared product cannot only degrade the contaminated compounds on the surface of the material, but also reduce the maintenance cost of the material due to its self-cleaning performance. Therefore, the as-prepared product possesses potential applications in degradation of organic pollutants and water treatment, which makes it a prospective material in the field of environmental treatment. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.