Preparation of TiO₂ hollow fibers using poly(vinylidene fluoride) hollow fiber microfiltration membrane as a template

TiO₂ hollow fibers were successfully prepared by using poly(vinylidene fluoride) hollow fiber microfiltration membrane as a template. The preparation procedure includes repeated impregnation of the TiO₂ precursor in the pores of the polymeric membrane, and calcination to burn off the template, producing the TiO₂ hollow fibers. The TiO₂ hollow fibers were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). TiO₂ hollow fibers with other structures, such as honeycomb monolith and spring, were also prepared by preshaping the polymeric membranes into the honeycomb structure and spring, respectively. The phase structure of the TiO₂ hollow fibers could be readily adjusted by changing the calcination temperature.