Application of Immobilized Titanium Dioxide as Reusable Photocatalyst on Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue

Abstract

Titanium dioxide particles immobilized on polypropylene copolymer surfaces (TiO2/PC) have been successfully performed using a simple electrostatic-heating coating (EHC) method. The coating process was initiated by generating electroctatic charges on the polymer surfaces, followed by adhering TiO2 particles electrostatically onto the surface and completing with pressing at 110 o C for 4 minutes. The coated sheets have been applied to degrade methylene blue (MB) solution as a wastewater model under a direct sunlight exposure. Ten layers of TiO2 coated sheets produced the optimum decomposition rate with photodegradation effectiveness up to 99.30% for 4 days exposure. These materials are also repeatedly used, indicated by nearly unchange in the photodegradation effectiveness. After four times repetition, the coated sheets still function well by decomposition up to 99 % of MB compound. The material has potential for large scale wastewater treatment in the tropical regions.