Photocatalytic Degradation of Polyethylene Glycol by Nano-Titanium Dioxide Modified With Ferric Acetylacetonate

Abstract

The surface of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles was modified by ferric acetylacetonate complex Fe(acac)₃. This modification improved the dispersion of TiO₂ in polymer and also the photocatalytic activity. The photodegradation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) catalyzed by modified TiO₂ (Fe-TiO₂) was extensively studied. The degradation character was evident. For example, the polymer lost its weight gradually, and the molecular weight decreased. Meantime the molecular weight distribution index increased. The molecular weight of PEG has a great influence upon the degradation. In all cases Fe-TiO₂ displayed much higher catalytic activity than the neat TiO₂.

Keywords:

• ferric acetylacetonate
• photocatalytic degradation
• polyethylene glycol
• titanium dioxide

Acknowledgments

Financial support from Foundation of Innovation Projects of USTS for Graduate Students, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Environment Functional Materials, and a project funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD) is gratefully acknowledged.