Templating Quantum Dot to Phase-Transformed Electrospun TiO2 Nanofibers for Enhanced Photo-Excited Electron Injection

We report on the microstructural crystal phase transformation of electrospun TiO2 nanofibers generated via sol-gel electrospinning technique, and the incorporation of as-synthesized CdSe quantum dots (QDs) to different phases of TiO2 nanofibers (NFs) via bifunctional surface modification. The effect of different phases of TiO2 on photo-excited electron injection from CdSe QDs to TiO2 NFs, as measured by photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) is also discussed. Nanofiber diameter and crystal structures are dramatically affected by different calcination temperatures,. due to removal of polymer carrier, conversion of ceramic precursor into ceramic nanofibers, and formation of different TiO2 phases in the fibers. At a low calcination temperature of 400 C only anatase TiO2 nanofiber are obtained; increasing calcination temperature (up to 500 degrees C) these anatase crystals became larger. Crystal transformation from the anatase to the rutile phase is observed above 500 degrees C, with most of the crystals transforming into the rutile phase at 800 degrees C. Bi-functional surface modification Of calcined TiO2 nanofibers with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA) is used to incorporate as-synthesized CdSe QD nanoparticles On to TiO2 nanofibers. Evidence of formation. of CdSe/TiO2 composite nanofibers is. obtained from elemental analysis using. Energy Dispersive X-ray. spectroscopy (EDS) and TEM microscopy that reveal templated quantum dots on TiO2 nanofibers Photoluminescence emission intensities increase considerably with the addition of QDs to all TiO2 nanofiber samples, With fibers containing small amount of rutile crystals with anatase crystals showing the most enhanced effect.