Water Resistant Cellulose – Titanium Dioxide Composites for Photocatalysis

Abstract

Novel water resistant photocatalytic composites of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)—polyamide-amine-epichlorohydrin (PAE)—TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by a simple two-step mixing process. The composites produced are flexible, uniform, reproducible and reusable; they can readily be removed from the pollutant once used. Small amount of TiO2 NPs are required for the loaded composites to exhibit a remarkable photocatalytic activity which is quantified here as achieving at least 95% of methyl orange degradation under 150 min of UV light irradiation for the composite with best combination. The cellulose network combined with PAE strongly retains NPs and hinders their release in the environment. PAE dosage (10 and 50 mg/g MFC) controls the NP retention in the cellulose fibrous matrix. As TiO2 content increases, the photocatalytic activity of the composites levels off to a constant; this is reached at 2wt% TiO2 NPs for 10 mg/g PAE and 20wt% for 50 mg/g PAE. SEM and SAXS analysis confirms the uniform distribution of NPs and their formation of aggregates in the cellulose fibre network. These economical and water resistant photocatalytic paper composites made by a simple, robust and easily scalable process are ideal for applications such as waste water treatment where efficiency, reusability and recyclability are important.

Paper Functionalized with Nanostructured TiO2/AgBr: Photocatalytic Degradation of 2–Propanol under Solar Light Irradiation and Antibacterial Activity

“…Two interesting comprehensive reviews enumerating the methods of immobilization, as well as the applications of nanoparticle-functionalized paper with different metal oxide nanostructures, including TiO 2 , have been reported by Pelton et al [6] and Chauhan et al [7]. The water sensitivity of paper could be addressed by a polymer additive imparting a certain hydrophobic effect, as recently reported by Garusinghe et al [8]. They prepared water-resistant photocatalytic paper based on micro-fibrillated cellulose-polyamide-amine epichlorohydrin with immobilized TiO 2 nanoparticles by a simple two-step mixing process, and the composite mater showed effective photocatalytic activity versus the degradation of dyes under UV-light irradiation.…”

Natural Polymer Composites for Environmental Applications

“…Nanomaterial's incorporation into polymer matrices Fig. 9 Proposed photocatalytic mechanism of ZnO-NPs for the catalytic degradation of methylene blue dye [48] provides stability to nanomaterials and risk of leaching can be avoided [49]. Natural polymers discussed above, owing to their biodegradability and biocompatibility, can perform that function quit well.…”

Nanofibrillated cellulose composites and wood derived scaffolds for functional materials

“…46 Especially TiO 2 -cellulose composites are of great interest due to their photocatalytic activity to be used for example in waste water treatments. 47 Table 1 provides an overview of strategies for the development of cellulose based conductive composites and the conductivities that can be achieved.…”