Elaboración de un fotocatalizador flotante basado en un composito de TiO2/aglomerado para tratamiento de contaminantes orgánicos usando luz solar

Abstract

Floating photocatalysts have caused interest due to the benefits they provide. For example, the floating support has characteristic lightness and flexibility; while the photocatalyst has the advantage of being able to interact with sunlight without the need of stirring or oxygenation. In this paper, a floating photocatalyst based on a TiO2/ agglomerate composite is evaluated. The agglomerate is made from post-consumer packaging of multilayer containers. The catalyst was prepared by synthesizing of titanium dioxide powders with phase mixture anatase/rutile. The photocatalyst powder was attached to substrate surface using a varnish obtained by dissolving post-consumer polystyrene containers in toluene. The photocatalyst has different phase A-R (Anatase-Rutile) ratios. The approximate size of the nanostructure is 13.29 ± 3.28 nm, calculated using UV-Vis spectroscopy, the bandgap has values ranging from 2.56 eV to 2.90 Ev. The agglomerates have a rupture modulus of 14.95 N/mm2; they are hydrophobic materials and possess dimensional stability against changes in humidity (length) less than 10%, chemical resistance, are flame retardant. The TiO2/agglomerate composite is used for the photocatalytic degradation of a model pollutant (methylene blue) using sunlight.