Low-Cost Fabrication of Visible-Light Sensitive PAN/Cu₂O QDs Nanofibers

This work reported the successful fabrication of a low-cost electrospun PAN nanofiber coated with Cu2O QDs. Our works reveal that the spray coating method was effective in applying a homogenous distribution of Cu2O QDs on the surface of PAN nanofiber. The as-synthesized Cu2O QDs have an absorption edge at 510 nm and band gap energy of 2.5 eV indicating a light-sensitive photocatalyst. The SEM image showed an even distribution of Cu2O QDs on the top of PAN nanofibers with an average diameter of 454.45 ± 124.732 nm. The wettability of the as-made nanofibers was determined using the contact angle method. Our PAN/Cu2O QDs nanofibers showed hydrophilic behavior. The reactive oxygen species generation study also indicated the ability of our PAN/Cu2O to generate singlet oxygen. Our results indicate the promising potential of PAN/Cu2O as wound healing fabric due to the advantageous natural properties of copper and hydrophilic fabric.