Preparation and characterization of Zn0.9Mg0.1TiO3 via electrospinning

Hexagonal Zn0.9Mg0.1TiO3 (ZMT) composite fibers were successfully prepared by combining sol-gel with an electrospinning and calcination technique. The crystalline phase and microstructures of Zn0.9Mg0.1TiO3 fibers, calcined at various temperatures for 1 h, were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetry differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) techniques. The results showed that the crystalline phase, morphology and grain size of the ZMT fibers were influenced by the calcination temperature and the doped magnesium improved the stability of the ilmenite ZnTiO3-based ceramic. Fibrous, linked particles and separated hexagonal particles were obtained after being calcined at 500, 700 and 900 degrees C, respectively. The single phase Zn0.9Mg0.1TiO3 was formed from 700 degrees C to 900 degrees C and the possible formation mechanism was proposed. The as-prepared samples exhibited low activities for Methylene blue (MB) photodegradation under visible-light irradiation.