Synthesis of uniform layer of TiO2 nanoparticles coated on natural cellulose micrometer-sized fibers through a facile one-step solvothermal method

Here, a uniform layer of TiO2 nanoparticles coated on the surface of natural micrometer-sized fibers was obtained when using polar wood cellulose fibers as templates and titanium butoxide (Ti(OnBu)4) as precursor through a simple one-step solvothermal method. The final samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, selected area electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction. The results show the cellulose microfibers were coated with layer of highly crystalline anatase TiO2 nanoparticles whose diameter varies from 5 to 10 nm. Moreover, the resultant TiO2/cellulose composite shows an excellent photocatalytic activity in degrading methyl orange dye.