Solid-phase photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene-goethite composite film under UV-light irradiation.
A novel photodegradable polyethylene-goethite (PE-goethite) composite film was prepared by embedding the goethite into the commercial polyethylene. The degradation of PE-goethite composite films was investigated under ultraviolet light irradiation. The photodegradation activity of the PE plastic was determined by monitoring its weight loss, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy. The weight of PE-goethite (1 wt%) sample steadily decreased and led to the total 16% reduction in 300 h under UV-light intensity for 1 mW/cm(2). Through SEM observation there were some cavities around the goethite powder in the composite films, but there were few changes except some surface chalking phenomenon in pure PE film. The degradation rate could be controlled by changing the concentration of goethite particles in PE plastic. The degradation of composite plastic initiated on PE-goethite interface and then extended into polymer matrix induced by the diffusion of the reactive oxygen species generated on goethite particle surface. The photocatalytic degradation mechanism of the composite films was briefly discussed.
Liu
G L
GL
Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Ecological Environment Research, Centre for Microelement Research of Huazhong Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Subtropical Agriculture and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan 430070, China.
Zhu
D W
DW
Liao
S J
SJ
Ren
L Y
LY
Cui
J Z
JZ
Zhou
W B
WB
D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D007700:Kinetics; D008903:Minerals; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000737:chemistry; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D058085:Iron Compounds; D008903:Minerals; D011095:Polyethylenes; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C094886:goethite