Facile synthesis and photocatalytic assessment of poly(ε-caprolactone)-TiO2 nanofibers produced using coaxial electrospinning method

Photocatalytic nanofibers can be processed as flexible self-cleaning surfaces for applications in food packaging and healthcare to prevent pathogenic biofilm formation. In this study, coaxial electrospinning method was employed to fabricate biocompatible poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-based core-shell nanofibers incorporating non-toxic nano titanium dioxide (P25) particles. Using P25 in ethanol as the outer solution and PCL in acetic acid as the inner solution, effective surface attachment of P25 onto PCL nanofibers was achieved. The composite PCL/P25 nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. The nanofibers exhibited photocatalytic activity in degrading methylene blue (MB) at solid-air interface up to 3 ppm concentration. Moreover, under UV irradiation, the PCL/P25 nanofibers become increasingly hydrophilic and start to degrade with formation of defect in the PCL nanofiber. The results conclude that PCL/P25 fabricated by this novel coaxial electrospinning approach shows strong potential for applications in photodegradable, antimicrobial food and medical packaging. • Coaxial electrospinning is used to engineer PCL/P25 core-shell nanofibers. • Photocatalytic activity of P25 remained intact within the composite. • Nanofibers show strong photocatalytic degradation of MB at solid air interface. • Potential use of PCL/P25 as photocatalytic and photodegradable packaging material.