TITLE:
TiO2 Films Synthesis over Polypropylene by Sol-Gel Assisted with Hydrothermal Treatment for the Photocatalytic Propane Degradation
AUTHORS:
Vanessa Guzmán-Velderrain, Yudith Ortega López, Jesús Salinas Gutiérrez, Alejandro López Ortiz, Virginia H. Collins-Martínez
KEYWORDS:
TiO2 Coating, Polypropylene, Propane Photodegradation, Photocatalysis
JOURNAL NAME:
Green and Sustainable Chemistry,
Vol.4 No.3,
August
5,
2014
ABSTRACT: The present investigation shows experimental results obtained with TiO2 thin films synthesized by the sol-gel method assisted with hydrothermal
treatment over polypropylene, using the dip coating technique. Obtained
coatings were characterized through SEM, XRD, UV-Vis and the photo- catalytic
activity was monitored by GC. According to results, the hydrothermal treatment
facilitates the crystallization of the TiO2 anatase phase, which is
present in all synthesized films. Crystal size formed from precursor solutions
(estimated by the Scherrer’s equation) depends on the time and temperature of
the hydrothermal treatment, wherein solution exposed to a higher temperature
treatment of 150。C for 1.5 h (H150/1.5) exhibited a larger crystal size
compared to those synthesized at 80。C for 1.5 h and 3 h (H80/1.5 and H80/3).
Sample H150/1.5 over polypropylene resulted in a uniform and crack free
coating. This behavior was attributed to the precursor solution being denser
than those synthesized at 80。C. Additionally, the photocatalytic activity of
the coatings was evaluated through the degradation of propane. Coating H150/1.5
reached 100% conversion after 3 h of UV light irradiation.