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TiO2 sol-gel for formaldehyde photodegradation using polymeric support: photocatalysis efficiency versus material stability

  • Advanced Oxidation Technologies: Advances and Challenges in IberoAmerican Countries
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Abstract

Photocatalysts supported on polymers are not frequently used in heterogeneous photocatalysis because of problems such as wettability and stability that affect photocatalysis conditions. In this work, we used polypropylene as support for TiO2 sol-gel to evaluate its stability and efficiency under UV radiation. We also tested the effect of the thermo-pressing PP/TiO2 system on the photocatalytic efficiency and stability under UV radiation. The films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SEM micrographs showed that the films of TiO2 sol-gel onto PP has approximately 1.0-μm thick and regular surface and the generation of polypropylene nanowires on hot-pressed samples. XRD showed the formation of TiO2 anatase on the surface of the films made by dip-coating. All photocatalysts were tested in decontaminating air-containing gaseous formaldehyde (70 ppmv) presenting degradation of the target compound to the limit of detection. The photocatalysts showed no deactivation during the entire period tested (30 h), and its reuse after washing showed better photocatalytic performance than on first use. The photocatalyst showed the best results were tested for 360 h with no observed deactivation. Aging studies showed that the film of TiO2 causes different effects on the photostability of composites, with stabilizing effect when exposed to most energetic UVC radiation (λmax = 254 nm) and degradative effects when exposed to UVA radiation (λmax = 365 nm).

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge CNPq and FAPERJ for the financial support and Prof. Ricardo Papaleo for the help on the discussion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Ciências Químicas, UENF-CCT, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP 28013-602, Brazil

    Monique S. Curcio, Michel P. Oliveira & Maria Cristina Canela

  2. UFSCAR—Campus Sorocaba, Rodovia SP-264, Km 110, Sorocaba, SP, CEP 18052-780, Brazil

    Walter R. Waldman

  3. CIEMAT, Photocatalytic treatment of pollutants in air, Av. Complutense, 40 Bldg. 42, Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    Benigno Sánchez

Authors
  1. Monique S. Curcio
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  2. Michel P. Oliveira
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  3. Walter R. Waldman
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  4. Benigno Sánchez
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  5. Maria Cristina Canela
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Correspondence to Maria Cristina Canela.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Curcio, M.S., Oliveira, M.P., Waldman, W.R. et al. TiO2 sol-gel for formaldehyde photodegradation using polymeric support: photocatalysis efficiency versus material stability. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 800–809 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-2683-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-2683-4

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