PMMA-TiO2 Fibers for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Water Pollutants

Abstract

<jats:p>Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a promising photocatalyst that possesses a redox potential suitable for environmental remediation applications. A low photocatalytic yield and high cost have thus far limited the commercial adoption of TiO2-based fixed-bed reactors. One solution is to engineer the physical geometry or chemical composition of the substrate to overcome these limitations. In this work, porous polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) substrates with immobilized TiO2 nanoparticles in fiber forms were fabricated and analyzed to demonstrate the influence of contaminant transport and light accessibility on the overall photocatalytic performance. The influences of (i) fiber porosity and (ii) fiber architecture on the overall photocatalytic performance were investigated. The porous structure was fabricated using wet phase inversion. The core-shell-structured fibers exhibited much higher mechanical properties than the porous fibers (7.52 GPa vs. non-testability) and maintained the same degradation rates as porous structures (0.059 vs. 0.053/min) in removing methylene blue with comparable specific surface areas. The highest methylene blue (MB) degradation rate (kMB) of 0.116 min−1 was observed due to increases of the exposed surface area, pointing to more efficient photocatalysis by optimizing core-shell dimensions. This research provides an easy-to-manufacture and cost-efficient method for producing PMMA/TiO2 core-shell fibers with a broad application in water treatment, air purification, and volatile sensors.</jats:p>

A mini‐review of microstructural control during composite fiber spinning

“…Spontaneous phase separation is an alternative strategy in solution spinning, which does not involve second‐phase porogen materials. Both thermally induced phase separation or non‐solvent induced phase separation result in polymer‐rich and solvent‐rich regions, forming nanometer to micrometer pores 52–55 . Another strategy of combining ice‐templating with fiber spinning also eliminates the use of porogens 56–58 .…”

“…Both thermally induced phase separation or nonsolvent induced phase separation result in polymer-rich and solvent-rich regions, forming nanometer to micrometer pores. [52][53][54][55] Another strategy of combining ice-templating with fiber spinning also eliminates the use of porogens. [56][57][58] Bai's group recently showed that water as the solvent gradually crystallizes by applying a cold source during fiber spinning, forming pores after freeze-drying.…”

Disinfection of Water using Supported Titanium Dioxide Photocatalysts

“…Porous Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) substrates was employed to immobilize TiO2 nanoparticles in the fiber forms and efficiently used for degradation of methylene blue. The photocatalytic performances were analyzed by optimizing fiber porosity and its architecture with higher surface area (Kanth et al, 2020). The poly (acrylonitrile) supported carbon doped titanium dioxide nanocomposite was developed by sol-gel method and immobilize by phase inversion route.…”

Fabrication of Nanoparticle/Polymer Composite Photocatalytic Membrane for Domestic Sewage In Situ Treatment

“…Recently, typical photocatalytic membranes have been fabricated by attaching catalysts to polymer fiber or metal mesh substrates through electrospinning, spraying, and other processes using polymer as a binder, such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), etc. [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. However, they are usually invalid for catalysts leaching from the substrates [ 15 ].…”