Journal of Environmental Biology

Application of Nano-TiO₂ /LDPE composite film on photocatalytic

oxidation degradation of dichloromethane

Author Details

Kowit? Suwannahong

Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering , Kasetsart? University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Winai? Liengcharernsit

Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering , Kasetsart? University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand?????????

Wipada Sanongraj

(Corresponding author)??????

Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ubon Ratchathani University,

Ubonratchathani 34190, Thailand

e-mail: wipadadechapanya@yahoo.com ?

Jittiporn? Kruenate

National Metal and Materials Technology Center, 114 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Road,

Klong Luang, Patumthani 12120, Thailand

Publication Data

Paper received:

25 February 2011

Revised received:

27 September 2011

Accepted:

17 October 2011

Abstract

This study focused on the photocatalytic destruction of dichloromethane (DCM) in indoor air using the nano-TiO₂ /LDPE composite film as an economical photocatalyst. The nano-TiO₂ was dispersed in a polyethylene matrix to form composite film. The photocatalytic activity of the nano-TiO₂/LDPE composite films was evaluated through the degradation of dichloromethane (DCM) under UV-C irradiance at specific wavelength of 254 nm. The percentage of nano-TiO₂ contents varied from 0, 5, and 10% (wt cat./wt LDPE composite film). The results derived from the kinetic model revealed that the photocatalytic rates of 5 and 10 wt.% nano-TiO₂/LDPE composite films follow the first order reaction while the rate of the film without TiO₂ followed the zero order reaction. At low concentration of DCM, the rate of photocatalytic degradation of the DCM was slower than that at high DCM concentration. The 10 wt.% of TiO₂ content of the nano-TiO₂/LDPE composite film yielded the highest degradation efficiency of 78%, followed by the removal efficiency of 55% for the 5 wt.% of TiO₂ content of the nano-TiO₂/LDPE composite film. In contrast with the composite film containing nano-TiO₂, the LDPE film without adding nano-TiO₂ expressed the degradation efficiency of 28%.?

Key words

Titanium dioxide, Nano-TiO₂/LDPE composite film, Dichloromethane, Photocatalytic degradation

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