PET as a support material for TiO2in advanced oxidation processes

What is it about?

The use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a support material for TiO2 films in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for water treatment was investigated. A green, low-cost immobilization procedure was developed and the amount of deposited photocatalyst ranged from 0.036 to 0.202 mg per cm2 PET. Photocatalytic activity of the films was evidenced by degrading paracetamol solutions under UV radiation. The highest kinetic constants were observed for at least 0.09 mg TiO2 per cm2 PET. Scan electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses indicated 0.15 mg TiO2 per cm2 PET as enough to provide complete covering of the PET support. Characterization analyses were also performed with a film after 30 h of use in a UV/TiO2/O3 reactor. According to SEM analyses, the photocatalyst was not detached from the PET support, while EDX and gravimetric data indicated the possibility of the TiO2 to have been contaminated by compounds present in the solution during the treatment. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40175.

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Why is it important?

Regarding the use of PET as a support material for TiO2 in different AOPs and reactors, the immobilization procedure proposed can possibly result in economical and environmental advantages related to the reduced consumption of energy and chemicals, the reuse of PET, and almost no residue generation.