Photocatalytic VOCs Degradation Efficiency of Polypropylene Membranes by Incorporation of TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticles

A class of serious environmental contaminants related to air, namely volatile organic compounds (VOCs), has currently attracted global attention. The present study aims to remove harmful VOCs using as-prepared polypropylene membrane + TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles (PPM + TiO<sub>2&...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Md. Abu Hanif, Hyokyeong Shin, Danbi Chun, Hong Gun Kim, Lee Ku Kwac, Young Soon Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-12-01
Series:Membranes
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/13/1/50
Description
Summary:A class of serious environmental contaminants related to air, namely volatile organic compounds (VOCs), has currently attracted global attention. The present study aims to remove harmful VOCs using as-prepared polypropylene membrane + TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles (PPM + TiO<sub>2</sub> NPs) via the photocatalytic gas bag A method under UV light irradiation. Here, formaldehyde was used as the target VOC. The PPM + TiO<sub>2</sub> NPs material was systematically characterized using various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, including field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements. These results confirm the successful preparation of PPM + TiO<sub>2</sub> NPs, which can be applied to the degradation of VOCs. Photocatalytic degradation of formaldehyde gas reached 70% within 1 h of UV illumination. The energy bandgap and photoluminescence intensity reductions are responsible for the improved photocatalytic activity. These characteristics increase the charge transport while decreasing the recombination of electron–hole pairs.
ISSN:2077-0375