Fabrication of flexible self-cleaning photocatalytic film using polysiloxane with a good mechanical property and stability

Abstract

Design and preparation of a novel photocatalyst, based on polyhydromethylsiloxane (PHMS) was reported. To investigate the straightforward preparation of PHMS-PEG-xT-PW, different characterization methods including FTIR, XRD, FESEM, UV–Vis DRS, EDX, PL, and EIS were utilized. The prepared photocatalyst was used for the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamin B (RhB) under incident visible light irradiation and also efficiency of the catalyst was examined under sun light irradiation. To study the efficiency of this research for the photodegradation of RhB, the effect of different crucial parameters such as time of illumination, catalyst loading, RhB concentration, pH of the solution, reusability function of the catalyst, turbidity of the solution in the presence of the catalyst and scavenger experiments were checked. Trapping tests showed that the photo-generated O2− and 1O2 are the main active species involved in the photocatalytic process. Photoactivity of glass coated PHMS-PEG-xT-PW were also investigated in photodegradation of the RhB which showed about 90% dye removal after 4 h. Thus introduced photocatalyst showed excellent activity in suspension and fix bed reactor. This inorganic based polymer can not only extend the absorption wavelength range of TiO2 but also consequently increase life-time of excited electron and hole with an appropriate viscosity for casting, which improve the photocatalytic efficiency of the photocatalyst in fix bed reactor too. Stability and reproducibility of coated film were also evaluated. The charge transfer resistance was also decreased compare with bare TiO2 which was proved by Nyquist and Bode plots.