The UV/Ozone Stability of PET and Nylon 6 Nanocomposite Films Containing TiO₂Photocatalysts

Abstract

Abstract:This study is to assess the photocatalytic degradation of PET and Nylon 6 films containing nano-sized TiO2 powders of anatase and rutile types. The PET and Nylon 6 films containing six kinds of the nanoparticles were prepared by melt casting method using a heating press machine. Reflectance in visible region and water contact angles of the irradiated PET and Nylon 6 composite films decreased with increasing UV/O3 irradiation. Also the enhanced hydrophilicity has a close relationship with the increase in the Lewis base parameter, which indicates more oxidized polymer surfaces. The photocatalytic degradation of the nanocomposite films increased with increasing TiO2 content and UV energy, which is more significant with the anatase types rather than the rutile types. The amide linkages in the Nylon 6 seemed to be more susceptible to the UV light compared to the ester groups in the PET, particularly in the presence of the TiO2 photocatalysts. The photoscission and photodegradation of the polymers in the composites produced more degraded structure assisted by the photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 nanoparticles. Also the composite films can bleach the methylene blue dyes more easily under the UV/O3 irradiation, suggesting the photobleaching activity of the TiO2 nanoparticles.