TiO2 nanorods doped with g-C3N4 – Polyethylene composite coating for self-cleaning applications

Visible-light-absorbing graphitic carbon nitride–TiO2 nanorod nanomaterials (g-C3N4@TiO2NR) were successfully immobilized using a one-step UVA-induced photocatalytic procedure on commercially obtained flexible low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films. Self-cleaning properties evaluated in solid–liquid and solid–gas phases malachite green as model molecule under UV-A visible light irradiation. For comparison purpose, LDPE films containing P25 TiO2 nanoparticles was prepared the same synthetic strategy (P25/LDPE). Among fabricated films, g-C3N4@TiO2NR/LDPE exhibited highest activity both after 120 min of irradiation (λ > 455 nm) removing efficiently stains probably due to attack photoinduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) such singlet (1O2), hydroxyl radical (•OH) superoxide anion (O2−•). Furthermore, retained their visible-light-photoinduced four reuse cycles. The also significant hydrophilicity. high capacity found be related textural electronic properties, superior visible-light absorption, surface roughness