Investigations of photocatalytic activities of photosensitive semiconductors dispersed into epoxy matrix

Abstract

New hybrid catalyst coating have been synthesised encapsulating TiO 2 nanoparticles into an epoxy matrix by means of UV-induced polymerization. It was shown that the presence of the titania nanoparticles did not significantly influenced the curing process. Morphological analysis of the achieved UV cured coatings containing titania showed an homogeneous distribution of the inorganic particles, with an average size between 130-160 nm. It is mandatory that the coating will not be itself degraded during UV irradiation. FT-IR measures performed on aged coatings subjected to UV irradiation for 41 days showed that the photodegradation of either the pristine epoxy coating or coating containing the photocatalyst were negligible.The photocatalytic efficiency of these new catalysts was evaluated by studying the degradation of some organic compounds under UV light. Methylene blue was employed as model molecule to investigate the photoactivity toward organic molecule directly adsorbed on the coating surface. Under irradiation, complete dye degradation was achieved within 90 min.Phenol and 3,5-dichlorophenol were used as target molecules for studying photoactivity toward organic compounds dissolved in aqueous solution. Also in these cases, complete degradation of the organic compounds was achieved.

Graphene oxide–epoxy hybrid material as innovative photocatalyst

“…As previously reported [12] direct photolysis scarcely contributes to the phenol transformation; upon light exposure in pure water or with pristine film their degradation is negligible even after long irradiation times (14 days). A blank experiment was performed with the epoxy film containing 3 phr of GO x , immersed in the phenol aqueous solution and kept in the dark; a decrease of phenol concentration of about 20 % was measured after 72 h, attributable to an adsorption process which could probably be enhanced by the GO x dispersed into the polymeric film, since it is characterized by a very high surface area.…”

“…For this reason in our previous investigations we have dispersed the TiO 2 [12] and the SWCNTs [8] into an epoxy matrix and we have investigated their efficiency in photodegradation of a target molecules.…”

TiO2-soybean peroxidase composite materials as a new photocatalytic system

“…For this reason, in our previous investigations we have dispersed photocatalysts, i.e. TiO 2 [22], SWCNTs [23] and GOx [24], into UVcured epoxy films and we have proved their efficiency in the photodegradation of target molecules.…”

Antibiofilm Activity of Epoxy/Ag-TiO2 Polymer Nanocomposite Coatings against Staphylococcus Aureus and Escherichia Coli

“…TiO2 nano-fillers improve mechanical properties like crack resistance, surface characteristics and can also contribute to the photostability of the host material. The photostability and photocatalytic activity of epoxy/nano-TiO2 coatings under UV irradiation has been reported by Calza et al [12]. While doping TiO2 with silver can synergistically enhance photobactericidal acitivity of TiO2, a considerable improvement in mechanical properties can also be achieved by introducing very low amount of nano-fillers into resin system [13].…”