Tailoring the pH-responsive Properties of Titania Nanocomposite Functionalized with Polymethacrylic Acid for the Photodegradation of Paracetamol
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/mjfas.v21n6.4597Keywords:
Photocatalyst, Titania, Polymethacrylic Acid, Free Radical Polymerization, ParacetamolAbstract
In this work, the free radical polymerization (FRP) method was employed to create pH-responsive polymethacrylic acid-titania nanocomposites (PMAA-TiO2 NCs) for the efficient photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol, a commonly used analgesic and antipyretic known as acetaminophen. The environmental risk posed by the accumulation of paracetamol in the food chain underscores the need for effective water treatment solutions. The need to address potential environmental toxicity prompted a meticulous investigation of TiO2 and crosslinker (CL) concentrations on PMAA, with X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirming anatase and rutile phases. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra validated distinctive functional groups, and ultraviolet-visible near-infrared (UV-vis-NIR) spectroscopy determined bandgap energy alignment within the anatase TiO2 range. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed seamless integration of PMAA with TiO2 nanoparticles, displaying a size distribution of 35 to 80 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated polymer degradation at 300 – 500 °C. Notably, the pH-dependent photocatalytic efficiency showed optimal TiO2 (0.4 g) and CL (0.7 g), achieving 60.3% removal efficiency in basic conditions and 21.1% in acidic conditions under UV light. This pH-responsive behavior was attributed to the swelling effect of PMAA under basic conditions, which increased the surface area and provided more active sites for photocatalysis. The PMAA layer's ionization in basic environments led to a highly negatively charged surface, facilitating greater interaction with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhancing photocatalytic performance. These results highlight PMAA's crucial role in imparting pH responsiveness to TiO2, emphasizing its significance in environmental remediation.
Author Biography
Sheela Chandren, ᵃDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia; ᵇCentre for Sustainable Nanomaterials, Ibnu Sina Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Dr. Sheela Chandren is a senior lecturer at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. She obtained her Ph.D. from Hokkaido University, Japan. Her current research focuses on the development, characterization, and application of titania-based photocatalysts in various chemical reactions. Among the photocatalysts that have been successfully prepared are well-ordered titania by using magnetic fields, titania encapsulated in hollow silica shell for organic synthesis and titania on stainless steel for outdoor applications.
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