TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticles-Coated Polypropylene Copolymer as Photocatalyst on Methylene Blue Photodegradation under Solar Exposure

Abstract

Problem statement: Pollutions of water bodies by dye wastes from text ile industries and other sources have become critical consideration. A photocatalytic technique using semiconductor materials such as Titanium Dioxide (TiO 2) activated by lights has been considered as one ec onomical method to solve this problem. Approach: We attached titanium dioxide on the surface of pol ymer grains as photocatalyc agents using a cylinder mill ing method. Photodegradation processes were observed in decomposition of Methylene Blue (MB) solutions, as waste model, under solar illumination. Several parameters were optimized suc h as the milling temperature, the milling period, number of coated grain layers on the surface of the waste. The repeatability of using the coated grain s was also sipected. Results: Two layers of TiO 2 coated grains resulted the optimum decomposition r ate of the MB solution. The milling temperature of 100° C and the milling period of 90 min produced the optimal decomposition rate. After five times repeti tion, the TiO 2 coated grains still function well by decomposition up to 97% MB compound. Conclusion: These materials have the potential in large scale wastewater treatment in the tropical regions and nearly do not require a complicated late handli ng in the process of separating the catalyst for treat ed water as well as requires very small energy, exp ect the sunlight energy.