Photocatalytic Activity of TiO₂‐Containing Nanocomposites versus the Chemical Nature of the Polymeric Matrices: A Comparison

Environmental remediation of xenobiotic pollutants is an important issue in industrialized society. Catalyst-mediated pollutant photodegradation using solar light shows promising results. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are a well-known standard for mineralizing organic water pollutants. Its use as sludge pointed out the need to support this photocatalyst ease both its and recovery. Polymers represent viable solution because their versatility, stability, cheapness. The situ radical bulk polymerization approach development TiO2-based thermoplastic nanocomposites enhances photocatalytic performance semiconductor nanoparticles. versatility efficiency these systems pave way industrial applications coatings large-scale surfaces. To shed on influences chemical nature polymer matrix nanosystems, polyvinyl acetate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene investigated supports TiO2 NPs. obtained TiO2-containing characterized by thermal analyses, UV-vis, Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, dynamic scattering, contact angle measurements. activity nanosystems form thin films against solutions, clear differences among having different natures polymers.