LAUSR

Abstract New poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid)/carboxyl-functionalized graphene oxide nanocomposite membranes were prepared using electrospinning technique with thermal treatment and modified with TiO 2 nanoparticles. The thus prepared composite membranes are composed of polymeric nanofibers with carboxyl-functionalized graphene oxide sheets, which are anchored on the fibers by heat-induced crosslinking reaction. The preparation process of the designed nanocomposites is facile, eco-friendly, and controllable. The TiO 2 nanoparticles were deposited uniformly and homogeneously onto the surface of the obtained composite membranes. The as-prepared composite membranes demonstrate efficient photocatalytic capacity toward dye degradation, which is primarily due to the specific surface area of electrospun membranes and the photoactivity of TiO 2 nanoparticles. In addition, the composite membranes reported here are easy to regenerate. In comparison with other composite catalysts, the present preparation process is highly eco-friendly and facile to operate and regulate, which demonstrates potential large-scale applications in wastewater treatment and dye removal.