Promoting the photocatalytic power of nanofibrous mat via coaxial electrospinning: Activity of core-sheath Cu-Bi2O3/Cellulose acetate@PAN mat in methylene blue degradation

Electrospun nanofiber membranes have shown remarkable effectiveness in the degradation of water pollutants . In this study, Cu-Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles obtained via fast-process flame combustion method were combined with cellulose acetate and polyacrylonitrile polymers to fabricate core-sheath nanofibrous mats via a novel coaxial electrospinning technique . The obtained nanofibrous mats were used in photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in water. The characterization results confirm the formation of core-sheath nanofibers of Cu-Bi 2 O 3 /cellulose acetate@polyacrylonitrile, good interplay of particle and polymer which led to improved electron migration, hindered fast recombination of carriers and surface-active Cu-Bi 2 O 3 particles. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of Cu-Bi 2 O 3 /cellulose acetate@polyacrylonitrile was significantly promoted in alkaline condition of pH 9 with 98.5% methylene blue degradation within 30 min. The corresponding reaction rate of 0.14637 min −1 was 6.36-fold higher than that of single-needle uniaxially electrospun Cu-Bi 2 O 3 /PAN (0.02298 min −1 ). The free radical test assessment revealed that superoxide radical and holes play significant role in photocatalytic degradation of dye on Cu-Bi 2 O 3 /cellulose acetate@polyacrylonitrile nanofibrous mat. This study provides an insight into architectural design of surface-active core-sheath photocatalysts demonstrating good interaction between the particle and the functional groups of polymers to optimize their application in water remediation. • Cu-Bi 2 O 3 -Cellulose acetate@PAN fibrous Mat was successfully obtained using coaxial electrospinning . • Good interplay of the core-sheath cellulose acetate , polyacrylonitrile and nanoparticles . • Photocatalytic degradation significantly promoted in alkaline condition. • Superoxide and holes play critical role in photocatalytic degradation of dye.