TiO₂ Immobilized Biodegradable Polymer for Photocatalytic Removal of Chlorophenol

Sivlim, Tuğba; Akkan, Şenay; Altın, İlknur; Koc, Melek; Sökmen, Münevver

TiO₂ Immobilized Biodegradable Polymer for Photocatalytic Removal of Chlorophenol

2012

Sivlim, Tuğba | Akkan, Şenay | Altın, İlknur | Koc, Melek | Sökmen, Münevver

This study concentrated on the direct immobilization of anatase nano titanium dioxide particles (TiO₂, 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 TiO₂ immobilized polymer successfully removed 4-chlorophenol (4-CP, 20 ppm which is equal to 1.56 × 10⁻⁴ M) from aqueous solution without additional pH arrangement employing a UV-A light (365 nm) source. Immobilization of n-TiO₂ 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.

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