Photocatalytic solid-phase degradation of polyethylene with fluoride-doped titania under low consumption ultraviolet radiation

Photodegradation of plastic in solid-phase requires the polymer to be composited with an efficient photocatalyst. We report herein the successful synthesis and characterization of fluoride-doped-TiO2 and its applicability, for the first time, on solid-phase photodegradation of polyethylene films. Ne...

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Veröffentlicht in:Journal of environmental management 2023-03, Vol.329, p.117044-117044, Article 117044
Hauptverfasser: Díez, Aida M., Pazos, Marta, Sanromán, M. Ángeles, Naranjo, Helen Valencia, Mayer, Joachim, Kolen'ko, Yury V.
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Photodegradation of plastic in solid-phase requires the polymer to be composited with an efficient photocatalyst. We report herein the successful synthesis and characterization of fluoride-doped-TiO2 and its applicability, for the first time, on solid-phase photodegradation of polyethylene films. Nearly half weight loss of polyethylene, containing only 2% of the photocatalyst, is eliminated after three weeks of ultraviolet A radiation using a low consumption light emitting diode lamp, defeating previously reported data. The half-life time of the plastic was around 3 weeks, highlighting the viability of this process for real applications. Results were compared to raw PE and PE composite with well-known TiO2, resulting in, respectively, 0 and 26% of weight loss. The degradation process was monitored by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which revealed the formation of plastic cracks, loss of polyethylene crystallinity and thus stability, the oxidation of C–H bonds and the oxidized state of the surface compounds during photodegradation. The obtained results open a path for the future production of cleaner and self-photodegradable plastics, where the photocatalyst would be introduced in all the manufactured plastics, making possible the quicker photodegradation of the plastics that end up on the environment and the plastics reaching wastewater treatment plants. [Display omitted] •Fluoride-doped TiO2 was successfully synthesized and composited with PE into films.•The photocatalyst affords solid-phase degradation of half PE material in 3 weeks.•The photodegradation treatment causes oxidation of C–H bonds and cracks in the film.•The photo-based process converts polyethylene into CO2 and H2O end-products.•F–TiO2 utilization opens a path for the creation of newly photodegradable plastics.
ISSN:0301-4797
1095-8630
DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.117044