Effect of Cross-Linking on the Structural, Thermal, and Photocatalytic Properties of Electrospun Chitosan-Based Membranes with TiO2 for the Heterogeneous Photocatalysis of Dyes
- 1Research Group on Electrospinning, Nanomaterials, Polymers, Electrochemistry, and Catalysis, Center of Engineering and Exact Sciences, State University of Western Paraná—UNIOESTE, Toledo 85903-000, Brazil
- 2Department of Chemistry, State University of Maringá—UEM, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Abstract
This study evaluated electrospun membranes based on chitosan (CTH)/polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/CTH blends with titanium dioxide (TiO2), which were cross-linked for treatment with Reactive Red 195 dye. Characterization included SEM, FTIR, DSC, and TGA, while performance was assessed via photoelectrochemical degradation and electrocatalysis. Glutaraldehyde cross-linking was applied to CTH/PEO/TiO2, and citric acid with heat treatment to PVA/CTH/TiO2. SEM showed that CTH/PEO/TiO2 membranes had partial cross-linking and poor wet stability, whereas PVA/CTH/TiO2 exhibited satisfactory stability. FTIR confirmed structural changes in organic groups after cross-linking. DSC revealed reduced melting points for PEO and PVA, indicating cross-linking. TGA demonstrated improved thermal stability for both fiber types. In electrochemical tests, the cross-linked chitosan electrodes were non-conductive and unsuitable for photoelectrochemical degradation. The non-cross-linked electrode achieved 60% dye removal, but adsorption contributed significantly, so results could not be attributed solely to degradation. In photodegradation assays, crosslinked CTH/PEO/TiO2 membranes adsorbed 75% of the dye before light exposure and showed only 22% additional removal under irradiation. Non-crosslinked PVA/CTH/TiO2 membranes dissolved in the medium, making the tests invalid. Overall, cross-linking enhanced stability and adsorption but limited electrochemical applicability, highlighting the need to balance structural integrity and functional performance in membrane-based dye treatment systems.
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BibTeX
@article{cardoso2026effect,
title = {{Effect of Cross-Linking on the Structural, Thermal, and Photocatalytic Properties of Electrospun Chitosan-Based Membranes with TiO2 for the Heterogeneous Photocatalysis of Dyes}},
author = {Fabiana da Silva Lima Cardoso and Ariane Regina de Souza Rossin and Nathan José Serafini Kuhn and Josiane Caetano and Douglas Cardoso Dragunski},
journal = {Molecules},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/molecules31213943},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3943},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effect of Cross-Linking on the Structural, Thermal, and Photocatalytic Properties of Electrospun Chitosan-Based Membranes with TiO2 for the Heterogeneous Photocatalysis of Dyes
AU - Fabiana da Silva Lima Cardoso
AU - Ariane Regina de Souza Rossin
AU - Nathan José Serafini Kuhn
AU - Josiane Caetano
AU - Douglas Cardoso Dragunski
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/02
JO - Molecules
DO - 10.3390/molecules31213943
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3943
AB - This study evaluated electrospun membranes based on chitosan (CTH)/polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/CTH blends with titanium dioxide (TiO2), which were cross-linked for treatment with Reactive Red 195 dye. Characterization included SEM, FTIR, DSC, and TGA, while performance was assessed via photoelectrochemical degradation and electrocatalysis. Glutaraldehyde cross-linking was applied to CTH/PEO/TiO2, and citric acid with heat treatment to PVA/CTH/TiO2. SEM showed that CTH/PEO/TiO2 membranes had partial cross-linking and poor wet stability, whereas PVA/CTH/TiO2 exhibited satisfactory stability. FTIR confirmed structural changes in organic groups after cross-linking. DSC revealed reduced melting points for PEO and PVA, indicating cross-linking. TGA demonstrated improved thermal stability for both fiber types. In electrochemical tests, the cross-linked chitosan electrodes were non-conductive and unsuitable for photoelectrochemical degradation. The non-cross-linked electrode achieved 60% dye removal, but adsorption contributed significantly, so results could not be attributed solely to degradation. In photodegradation assays, crosslinked CTH/PEO/TiO2 membranes adsorbed 75% of the dye before light exposure and showed only 22% additional removal under irradiation. Non-crosslinked PVA/CTH/TiO2 membranes dissolved in the medium, making the tests invalid. Overall, cross-linking enhanced stability and adsorption but limited electrochemical applicability, highlighting the need to balance structural integrity and functional performance in membrane-based dye treatment systems.
SN - 1420-3049
ER -