Preparation and Utilization of Polystyrene Nanocomposites Based on TiO₂ Nanowires

Abstract

Successful preparation of titanium dioxide nanowires (TiO₂-NWs), by a hydrothermal method, then embraced in polystyrene (PS) to form nanocomposites using emulsion polymerization of styrene monomer in presence of different ratios of TiO₂ nanowires. The morphology and crystalline structure of the prepared TiO₂ were proved by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The thermal stability of the nanocomposites, measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), was found to be upgraded especially at higher loading %s of the nanowires irrespective to pure polystyrene. Furthermore, polystyrene nanocomposites (modified with 4%, 8% and 12% of TiO₂ nanowires) were used to remove organochlorine pesticide (OCPs) residues from contaminated water. GLC results showed that the pristine TiO₂ nanowires has a poor affinity for removing OCPs residues (from 8.82 to 70%), whereas polystyrene/TiO₂-NWs nanocomposites are powerful material for removing OCPs residues (61.76 to 98.64%) due to changing of TiO₂ nanowires surfaces from completely hydrophilic to hydrophobic structure as proven by contact angle results. These nanocomposites materials can be used for packaging application and the mainly application of these materials in a water filter, which may be a promising and economically feasible technology for wastewater purification.

Keywords:

• Emulsion polymerization
• Nanocomposites
• Nanowires
• Organochlorine pesticide
• Polystyrene

Notes

K_ow: Octanol water portion coefficient.