Abstract Photocatalysts on nanofibers provide a large surface area for high photocatalytic activity, prevent nanoparticle aggregation, and facilitate easy separation from the process fluids. In this work, zinc oxide (ZnO) photocatalysts on flexible polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were prepared via single-step deposition by sol–gel coaxial electrospinning. A core/sheath structure consisting of the PAN polymer covered with a ZnO–polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) mixture was fabricated and then calcined at high temperatures to remove the PVP and crystallize the ZnO. The concentrations and viscosities of PAN and PVP were varied to find the appropriate conditions for nanofiber production. The thermal behavior and optimal calcination temperature were investigated via thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. ZnO/PAN coaxial nanofibers fabricated using 18% PVP and 12% PAN and calcined at 450 °C in air for 2 h had a ZnO-to-carbon ratio of 0.51. The nanofibers retained their flexibility and exhibited photocatalytic activity toward methylene blue degradation.

中文翻译：

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通过溶胶-凝胶同轴静电纺丝在柔性聚丙烯腈纳米纤维上光催化氧化锌

摘要 纳米纤维上的光催化剂为高光催化活性提供大表面积，防止纳米颗粒聚集，并促进与工艺流体的轻松分离。在这项工作中，通过溶胶-凝胶同轴静电纺丝法一步沉积制备了柔性聚丙烯腈（PAN）上的氧化锌（ZnO）光催化剂。制备由覆盖有 ZnO-聚乙烯吡咯烷酮 (PVP) 混合物的 PAN 聚合物组成的核/鞘结构，然后在高温下煅烧以去除 PVP 并使 ZnO 结晶。改变 PAN 和 PVP 的浓度和粘度，以找到适合纳米纤维生产的条件。通过热重分析和傅里叶变换红外光谱研究了热行为和最佳煅烧温度。使用 18% PVP 和 12% PAN 制造的 ZnO/PAN 同轴纳米纤维并在 450°C 下在空气中煅烧 2 小时，ZnO 与碳的比率为 0.51。纳米纤维保留了它们的柔韧性，并表现出对亚甲蓝降解的光催化活性。