PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF TITANIA EMBEDDED PET UNDER SALINE CONDITIONS

Abstract

Marine plastic pollution is one of the major environmental concern now a days due to its elevating rate universally. Titania nanoparticles are a reliable source of photocatalytic degradation of polymer and organic pollutants. Photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was investigated with different concentration of Titania nanoparticles under UV radiation, artificial light, and darkness immersed in artificial saline water. Titania nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. Photocatalytic degradation of PET-Titania composite films were determined by monitoring weight reduction, SEM and FTIR spectroscopy. Maximum weight loss in saline conditions was observed in PET-Titania composite film (T-20) of 22.3% under UV irradiation in 10 days while maximum weight loss of 19.9% in 60 days under artificial light with 20% Titania was observed. Samples placed in darkness showed no weight reduction in 60 days. SEM images displayed small cavities in PET-Titania composite films after 60 days of photocatalytic degradation under artificial light. Results reveal that Titania embedded PET has the potential to degrade in saline conditions under irradiation without causing any further pollution.