title: Photocatalysis applications of some hybrid polymeric composites incorporating TiO2nanoparticles and their combinations with SiO2/Fe2O3.
abstract: Polymer nanocomposites containing titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) combined with other inorganic components (Si-O-Si or/and γ-Fe2O3) were prepared by the dispersion of premade NPs (nanocrystalline TiO2, TiO2/SiO2, TiO2/Fe2O3, TiO2/SiO2/Fe2O3) within a photopolymerizable urethane dimethacrylate (polytetrahydrofuran-urethane dimethacrylate, PTHF-UDMA). The physicochemical characterization of nanoparticles and hybrid polymeric composites with 10 wt % NPs (S1-S4) was realized through XRD, TEM and FTIR analyses. The mean size (10-30 nm) and the crystallinity of the NPs varied as a function of the inorganic constituent. The catalytic activity of these hybrid films was tested for the photodegradation of phenol, hydroquinone and dopamine in aqueous solution under UV or visible-light irradiation. The best results were obtained for the films with TiO2/Fe2O3or TiO2/SiO2/Fe2O3NPs. The degradation of the mentioned model pollutants varied between 71% and 100% (after 250 min of irradiation) depending on the composition of the hybrid film tested and the light applied (UV-visible light). Also, it was established that such hybrid films can be reused at least for five cycles, without losing too much of the photocatalytic efficiency (ca. 7%). These findings could have implications in the development of new nanocatalysts.
authors.affiliation: Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Gr. Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Andreea Laura
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Chibac
authors.affiliation: Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Gr. Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Tinca
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Buruiana
authors.affiliation: Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Gr. Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Violeta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Melinte
authors.affiliation: Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Gr. Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Emil C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Buruiana
keywords: TiO2 nanoparticles; UV–visible irradiation; hybrid polymer composites; maghemite nanoparticles; photocatalysis