TiO2 Supported in Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) Properties, Preparation, and Photocatalytic Activity for the Degradation of Synthetic Dyes
Chawraba, Khaled, Damiri, Fouad, Toufaily, Joumana, Lalevee, Jacques, Hamieh, Tayssir; id_orcid 0000-0003-2153-7408
Abstract
The immobilization of titanium dioxide (TiO2), a prominent photo-catalyst, on various substrates has received a lot of interest over the last two decades since it avoids the need for costly post-treatment separation methods. Among the many substrates tested for supporting TiO2 photo-catalysts, polymer substrate appears to be the most promising due to multiple advantages such as its flexible nature, low cost, chemical resistance, mechanical stability, low density, high durability, and ease of availability. The proximity of photo-catalysis and the support system significantly increased the transfer step between adsorption and the total oxidative decolorization process. A comparison of photodecolorization with many synthetic dyes was made, and it was found that the structural and surface features of the photo-catalyst influenced the photocatalytic activities. This review focuses on TiO2-PMMA nanocomposites and thoroughly investigates the synthesis, photocatalytic activity, and reuse of TiO2/PMMA photo-catalysts. Finally, the future study scope and commercialization problems of PMMA-supported TiO2 photo-catalysts in visible and/or solar light have been highlighted.