| Abstract Scope |
Ce-doped TiO₂ three-dimensional self-supported nanofiber mats with Ce contents of 0, 1, 3, and 4 wt% were fabricated via electrospinning using a sol–gel precursor containing PVP, titanium isopropoxide, and cerium(IV) isopropoxide. The synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV–Vis spectroscopy to examine their structure, morphology, and optical properties. Pure TiO₂ consisted of anatase and rutile phases, while Ce incorporation promoted the formation of anatase and brookite phases. The doped nanomats showed enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity, achieving up to 95% degradation of methylene blue. This improvement is attributed to the mixed-phase composition, which facilitates improved charge separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. The 3 wt% Ce–TiO₂ sample exhibited the highest photocurrent density of 0.32 mA cm⁻² among reported Ce–TiO₂ systems. The self-supported nanofiber architecture improves charge transport and photocatalytic degradation and may enable broader applications beyond photocatalysis. |