Using Collagen Fiber as a Template to Synthesize TiO2 and Fex/TiO2 Nanofibers and Their Catalytic Behaviors on the Visible Light-Assisted Degradation of Orange II

TiO 2 and Fe x /TiO 2 nanofibers were prepared using collagen fiber as the template and Ti(SO 4 ) 2 as the titanium source, on which titanium (Ti 4+ ) or titanium (Ti 4+ )/iron (Fe 3+ ) were loaded, respectively, and then heat-treated. The structure and physical properties of these nanofibers were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, specific surface analyzer, and UV−vis absorption spectra. It was found that iron ions may substitute for some lattice titanium atoms and form a Ti−O−Fe structure. The TiO 2 and Fe x /TiO 2 nanofibers were all anatase phase when sintered at 600 °C for 4 h. The N 2 adsorption−desorption isotherms of TiO 2 and Fe x /TiO 2 nanofibers were the typical type IV, which associated with the characteristics of mesoporous materials. Compared with Degussa P25, the absorbance wavelength of obtained TiO 2 and Fe x /TiO 2 nanofibers was red shift and the band gap energy was decreased. The obtained TiO 2 and Fe x /TiO 2 nanofibers exhibited excellent visible light catalytic activity for degradation of orange II.