TiO sub(2) Immobilized Biodegradable Polymer for Photocatalytic Removal of Chlorophenol

This study concentrated on the direct immobilization of anatase nano titanium dioxide particles (TiO sub(2), 44 nm particle size) into or onto a biodegradable polymer, polycaprolactone, by solvent-cast processes. The photocatalytic properties of the produced materials were tested by photocatalytic r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water, air, and soil pollution air, and soil pollution, 2012-09, Vol.223 (7), p.3955-3964
Main Authors: Sivlim, Tuba, Akkan, Senay, Altin, Ilknur, Koc, Melek, Sokmen, Muenevver
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addition polymerization
Biodegradability
Immobilization
Nanomaterials
Nanostructure
Photocatalysis
Polycaprolactone
Titanium dioxide
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Summary:This study concentrated on the direct immobilization of anatase nano titanium dioxide particles (TiO sub(2), 44 nm particle size) into or onto a biodegradable polymer, polycaprolactone, by solvent-cast processes. The photocatalytic properties of the produced materials were tested by photocatalytic removal of organic contaminant 4-chlorophenol. Produced TiO sub(2) immobilized polymer successfully removed 4-chlorophenol (4-CP, 20 ppm which is equal to 1.5610 super(-4) M) from aqueous solution without additional pH arrangement employing a UV-A light (365 nm) source. Immobilization of n-TiO sub(2) onto polycaprolactone (PCL) produced improved 4-CP removal percentages, reaching to nearly 85 %. Increased PCL mass significantly increases the removal percentage of 4-CP. When a UVC lamp emitting 254 nm light is used, the removal percentage reaches to 89 %. UV irradiation did not cause any change in the microstructure of the polymeric material (confirmed with ATR-FTIR analysis). This is an important evidence that the material could be reused for further photocatalytic treatments. Produced material seems to be highly promising for successful removal of organic pollutants beside its biodegradable nature.
ISSN:0049-6979
1573-2932
DOI:10.1007/s11270-012-1163-z