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TiO 2 ‐kaolin‐PE composite film: A study based on photocatalytic degradation and biodegradation
Author(s) -
Fa Wenjun,
Wang Jie,
Yang Fengling,
Wang Ping,
Yue Bing,
Gao Yuanhao,
Li Dapeng,
Zheng Zhi
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.23416
Subject(s) - biodegradation , materials science , composite number , photocatalysis , photodegradation , degradation (telecommunications) , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , attenuated total reflection , composite material , scanning electron microscope , polyethylene , chemical engineering , catalysis , organic chemistry , chemistry , telecommunications , computer science , engineering
A novel photodegradable and biodegradable polyethylene (PE) film was prepared through a melt blending technique, where nano‐TiO 2 and common kaolin were used as the photocatalyst and biodegradable promoter showing improved degradable efficiency of the waste PE. The photo‐degradation of the composite film was investigated by weight loss monitoring, attenuated total reflection–fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy. The aerobic biodegradation of the residue films after photodegradation was investigated by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide of films in aquatic test systems according to the international standards (ISO 14852, 1999). The results showed that the weight loss of as‐prepared photo‐ and biodegradable composite film reached 26.8% after 240 h of UV light irradiation. The big cavities formed not only on the film surface but also inside the bulk film, together with the chalking phenomenon taking place. The biodegradation results revealed that the addition of kaolin enhanced the degradation of UV‐light treated TiO 2 ‐PE films. The prepared PE based composite films showed promising application as novel photo‐biodegradable environment‐harmless materials. In addition, a degradation mechanism for this composite film was also discussed. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2353–2359, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers