Reusable Photocatalytic Optical Fibers for Underground, Deep‐Sea, and Turbid Water Remediation

Abstract

An approach for underground, deep, and turbid water remediation is presented based on optical fibers with a photocatalytic coating. Thus, photocatalytic TiO 2 P25 nanoparticles immobilized in a poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) matrix are coated on polymeric optical fibers (POFs) and the photocatalytic performance of the system is assessed under artificial sunlight. To the best of our knowledge, poly(methyl methacrylate)‐POF coated with TiO 2 /PVDF and the reusability of any type of POF for photocatalytic applications are not previously reported. The photocatalytic efficiency of the hybrid material in the degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) and its reusability are evaluated here. It is shown that 50 w/w% of TiO 2 P25 achieves a degradation of 95% after 72 h under artificial sunlight and a reusability of three times leads to a loss of activity inferior to 11%. The efficient removal of ciprofloxacin and the stability of the POF coated with TiO 2 P25 successfully demonstrate its suitability in the degradation of pollutants with potential application in regions with low light illumination, as in underground and deep water.

Electroactive poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based materials: recent progress, challenges, and opportunities

“…In agreement with the mentioned easy processability of PVDF and co-polymers, it was reported the production of a photocatalytic coating based on 50 wt% TiO2/PVDF over Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) optical fibres, by dip coating [126]. This technique allowed to produce coatings with different thicknesses (ranging between 66 to 887 µm), The robustness of the PVDF coating was tested with a tape test, and the sample showing the more stable coating was able to degrade 95% of ciprofloxacin (5 mg L -1 ) after 72 h under visible radiation.…”

Smart and Multifunctional Materials Based on Electroactive Poly(vinylidene fluoride): Recent Advances and Opportunities in Sensors, Actuators, Energy, Environmental, and Biomedical Applications

“…The high surface area and porosity of the electrospun membranes and GO's interesting electrical and structural properties allowed a notable performance. 582 The easy processability of PVDF and its copolymers allowed production of a photocatalytic coating based on 50 wt % TiO 2 / PVDF over PMMA optical fibers, using the dip-coating technique, 583 being possible to produce coatings with thicknesses ranging from 66 to 887 μm (Figure 35).…”

“…The easy processability of PVDF and its copolymers allowed production of a photocatalytic coating based on 50 wt % TiO 2 /PVDF over PMMA optical fibers, using the dip-coating technique, being possible to produce coatings with thicknesses ranging from 66 to 887 μm (Figure ).…”

Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 Coatings Obtained at Room Temperature on a Polymethyl Methacrylate Substrate

“…We hypothesise that the transparent, durable, and photocatalytically active TiO 2 coatings can be obtained from stripped ultra-small nanoparticles in a single step at room temperature. The PMMA substrate has been chosen because this polymer can be used to produce flexible optical fibres for photocatalysis reactors [ 11 ]. PMMA are flexible and cheaper than brittle quartz optical fibres.…”