Visible-light enhanced photocatalytic performance by lowering the bandgap of reusable TiO2/chitin and ZnO/chitin nanocomposites for trimethoprim degradation

For a nanocomposite, the interaction among nanoparticles (NPs) and the polymeric matrix acting as support has a determinant role in the performance of the material in its intended application. Two UV-sensitive NPs (TiO2 and ZnO) were chosen in order to study the effect of their interaction with chit...

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Main Authors: Jonás José Perez Bravo, María Emilia Villanueva, Gabriel Ibrahin Tovar, Nora Judit François, Guillermo Javier Copello
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Budapest University of Technology and Economics 2022-11-01
Series:eXPRESS Polymer Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.expresspolymlett.com/letolt.php?file=EPL-0011888&mi=cd
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author Jonás José Perez Bravo
María Emilia Villanueva
Gabriel Ibrahin Tovar
Nora Judit François
Guillermo Javier Copello
author_facet Jonás José Perez Bravo
María Emilia Villanueva
Gabriel Ibrahin Tovar
Nora Judit François
Guillermo Javier Copello
author_sort Jonás José Perez Bravo
collection DOAJ
description For a nanocomposite, the interaction among nanoparticles (NPs) and the polymeric matrix acting as support has a determinant role in the performance of the material in its intended application. Two UV-sensitive NPs (TiO2 and ZnO) were chosen in order to study the effect of their interaction with chitin in the photocatalytic degradation of trimethoprim, which is an emerging pollutant. Chitin-NPs composites were characterized by structural, thermal, optical, and photoelectrochemical techniques. NPs immobilization into the chitin matrix showed to affect both NPs in the same manner by influencing their photocurrent generation and decreasing the bandgap, which allowed taking advantage of the Visible-light spectrum. Trimethoprim degradation rates under simulated sunlight and chitin chemical stability upon reusability were evaluated. Both composites can be used over a wide range of pH, but the alkaline medium produced a decrease in the chitin:ZnO degradation efficiency. The chemical structure of chitin was not affected by the photocatalysis reaction, even after several cycles. As it was observed for the nude NPs, the chitin:TiO2 composite trimethoprim degradation efficiency was higher than the chitin:ZnO nanocomposite. Chitin matrix allowed an easy recovery of the NPs from the treatment medium and recycling of the material without loss of photocatalytic efficiency.
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spelling doaj-art-ef2454f8d163442f8b2f3056460a34392025-08-20T03:22:42ZengBudapest University of Technology and EconomicseXPRESS Polymer Letters1788-618X2022-11-0116111177119210.3144/expresspolymlett.2022.86Visible-light enhanced photocatalytic performance by lowering the bandgap of reusable TiO2/chitin and ZnO/chitin nanocomposites for trimethoprim degradationJonás José Perez BravoMaría Emilia VillanuevaGabriel Ibrahin TovarNora Judit FrançoisGuillermo Javier CopelloFor a nanocomposite, the interaction among nanoparticles (NPs) and the polymeric matrix acting as support has a determinant role in the performance of the material in its intended application. Two UV-sensitive NPs (TiO2 and ZnO) were chosen in order to study the effect of their interaction with chitin in the photocatalytic degradation of trimethoprim, which is an emerging pollutant. Chitin-NPs composites were characterized by structural, thermal, optical, and photoelectrochemical techniques. NPs immobilization into the chitin matrix showed to affect both NPs in the same manner by influencing their photocurrent generation and decreasing the bandgap, which allowed taking advantage of the Visible-light spectrum. Trimethoprim degradation rates under simulated sunlight and chitin chemical stability upon reusability were evaluated. Both composites can be used over a wide range of pH, but the alkaline medium produced a decrease in the chitin:ZnO degradation efficiency. The chemical structure of chitin was not affected by the photocatalysis reaction, even after several cycles. As it was observed for the nude NPs, the chitin:TiO2 composite trimethoprim degradation efficiency was higher than the chitin:ZnO nanocomposite. Chitin matrix allowed an easy recovery of the NPs from the treatment medium and recycling of the material without loss of photocatalytic efficiency.http://www.expresspolymlett.com/letolt.php?file=EPL-0011888&mi=cdnanocompositeschitinphotocatalytic degradationtrimethoprimemerging pollutant
spellingShingle Jonás José Perez Bravo
María Emilia Villanueva
Gabriel Ibrahin Tovar
Nora Judit François
Guillermo Javier Copello
Visible-light enhanced photocatalytic performance by lowering the bandgap of reusable TiO2/chitin and ZnO/chitin nanocomposites for trimethoprim degradation
eXPRESS Polymer Letters
nanocomposites
chitin
photocatalytic degradation
trimethoprim
emerging pollutant
title Visible-light enhanced photocatalytic performance by lowering the bandgap of reusable TiO2/chitin and ZnO/chitin nanocomposites for trimethoprim degradation
title_full Visible-light enhanced photocatalytic performance by lowering the bandgap of reusable TiO2/chitin and ZnO/chitin nanocomposites for trimethoprim degradation
title_fullStr Visible-light enhanced photocatalytic performance by lowering the bandgap of reusable TiO2/chitin and ZnO/chitin nanocomposites for trimethoprim degradation
title_full_unstemmed Visible-light enhanced photocatalytic performance by lowering the bandgap of reusable TiO2/chitin and ZnO/chitin nanocomposites for trimethoprim degradation
title_short Visible-light enhanced photocatalytic performance by lowering the bandgap of reusable TiO2/chitin and ZnO/chitin nanocomposites for trimethoprim degradation
title_sort visible light enhanced photocatalytic performance by lowering the bandgap of reusable tio2 chitin and zno chitin nanocomposites for trimethoprim degradation
topic nanocomposites
chitin
photocatalytic degradation
trimethoprim
emerging pollutant
url http://www.expresspolymlett.com/letolt.php?file=EPL-0011888&mi=cd
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