Dye photostabilization on TiO2 capped with 4-styrenesulfonic acid plasma

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrolysis method followed by a hydrothermal treatment. The nanoparticles were treated by low-pressure plasma of 4-styrene sulfonic (PSS) at 60 W and two exposure times (10 and 30 min). The TiO2 anatase phase was obtained and the nanoparticles shown an irregular shape and a diameter of ~20 nm. The obtention of PSS-capped TiO2 nanoparticles were demonstrated by HRTEM, FTIR and TGA. PSS capped nanoparticles were used to evaluate the photostability of methylene blue dye. The polymer capping showed to be an efficient shield to the dye to reduce its photodegradation.