Preparation of TiO2 Nanotubes Loaded on Polyurethane Membrane and Research on Their Photocatalytic Properties.

Longli Lin,Yu Zhang,Xun Gong,Qijun Wu

doi:10.1155/2017/9629532

Abstract

To solve the problem of separation and recovery of photocatalyst in water, the modification of TiO2 was studied as well as its immobilization and photocatalytic properties. To improve surface properties, TiO2 nanotubes were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and silylated by silane coupling agents to introduce a certain functional group. Supported on polyurethane (PU) membrane, TiO2 nanotubes were prepared to produce immobilized PU/TiO2. Catalysts were characterized and identified by means of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that silylated TiO2 nanotubes were well grafted on the surface of the activated PU membrane. With a 300 W high pressure mercury lamp as light source, the photocatalytic activity and stability of immobilized PU/TiO2 were investigated with degrading methyl orange. It was showed that the target is degraded by immobilized PU/TiO2 with high activation and the catalytic performance is stable for a long time if catalyst is washed with ethanol.

Highlights

Considered as the highest potential on the development of environmentally friendly photocatalyst, TiO2 was focused on regarding its mechanism and application of pollutants removal from water
The result showed that the majority of substance in the TiO2 nanotubes is a composite of anatase rich in hydroxyl
TiO2 nanotubes and PU membrane were treated by silanization and surface activation, respectively

Summary

Introduction

Considered as the highest potential on the development of environmentally friendly photocatalyst, TiO2 was focused on regarding its mechanism and application of pollutants removal from water. Due to the achievement of electron-hole pairs, such dissolved transition metal ions in water as Tl (I) [1], Cr (VI) [2], Hg (II) [3], and Cu (II) [4,5,6] were reduced. Such organic pollutants as the most refractory ones were oxidized (e.g., pesticides, herbicides, dyes, surfactants, and electroplating additives) [7], in addition to salicylic acid [8], EDTA [9], phenols [10], and azo dyes [11] and so on. The immobilized PU/TiO2 was prepared with organic plastic (polyurethane membrane), and its activity and stability were tested as well

Methods

Results

Conclusion