Complex porous natural rubber foam composites with modified titanium dioxide for photocatalytic xylene removal

Natural rubber (NR) composite foams were fabricated using the Dunlop process to enhance their volatile solvent absorption capabilities. Modified titanium dioxide (TiO₂) derivatives, specifically zinc oxide-TiO₂ (ZnO-TiO₂) and silver doped–TiO₂ (Ag-TiO₂), were incorporated into the foams at varying concentrations. The characteristics of the modified and unmodified TiO₂ were confirmed through particle size analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and surface area measurements. The mechanical properties, air permeability, morphology, photocatalytic activity, and xylene absorption and removal efficiencies of the NR/TiO₂ composite foams were systematically evaluated. Incorporating both types of TiO₂ significantly improved the mechanical and photocatalytic properties of the foams. Adding 10 phr of the modified TiO₂ enhanced the modulus at 100 % elongation and tensile strength. Under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation, the NR foams containing ZnO-TiO₂ exhibited superior xylene absorption and removal. Including TiO₂ in the NR matrix increased the xylene gas degradation rate by 1.7 times compared to foams without TiO₂. These findings underscore the potential of modified TiO₂ for NR foam-based materials in applications such as furniture and filtration systems.