Enhanced solar photocatalysis using Nd-doped TiO2 nanofibers from electrospinning

Materials Today Communications

2025-12

TiO2 nanofibers

Photocatalysis

Norfloxacin degradation

Electrospinning

Ceramic TiO2 nanofibers (NFs) doped with neodymium ions (Nd3 +) were produced via electrospinning to evaluate their photocatalytic efficiency in the degradation of norfloxacin, an emerging environmental contaminant. The influence of rare-earth element doping was investigated in terms of structural, morphological, optical, and photocatalytic properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy analyses confirmed the formation of the tetragonal anatase phase, while Rietveld refinement revealed distortions in the crystal lattice associated with ionic substitution promoted by the dopant ions. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) images showed continuous and homogeneous fibers with diameters ranging from 122.24 ± 20.50 nm to 151.88 ± 25.49 nm, and a notable increase in surface area in the doped samples. The estimated bandgap energy of 3.15 eV and the photoluminescence spectra indicated the presence of deep-level defects, which favor charge separation and the generation of reactive species. The sample doped with 1 % Nd3+ exhibited the best performance, achieving 93.58 % degradation of norfloxacin under UV radiation and 99.54 % under solar light. After five reuse cycles under solar irradiation, the photocatalytic performance remained stable. Radical scavenging tests indicated that the reactive species •OH and •O2- were the main active agents in the degradation process. These findings highlight the potential of Nd3+-doped TiO2 nanofibers as promising materials for environmental applications aimed at the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants from water