Using Green Solvents for Phase Inversion of PVDF/TiO₂ Hybrid Coatings for Gas Phase Photocatalysis

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pose health risks and require effective air purification methods.
• Photocatalysis using titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles is a promising technique for VOC degradation.
• Traditional synthesis of PVDF/TiO2 matrices uses N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), a harmful solvent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an environmentally friendly method for synthesizing porous PVDF/TiO2 hybrid layers for photocatalysis.
• To evaluate alternative green solvents for dissolving PVDF in the phase inversion process.
• To assess the photocatalytic efficiency and stability of the synthesized materials for VOC degradation.

Main Methods:

• Phase inversion method was used to immobilize TiO2 nanoparticles in a porous PVDF matrix.
• PVDF was dissolved using triethyl phosphate (TEP), Rhodiasolv® PolarClean, and propylene carbonate (PC) as NMP replacements.
• Photocatalytic degradation of gaseous ethanol under UV light was performed in an Ar/O2 atmosphere.

Main Results:

• TEP, Rhodiasolv® PolarClean, and PC were found to be suitable replacements for NMP in PVDF matrix synthesis.
• The synthesized PVDF/TiO2 layers exhibited photocatalytic activity for ethanol degradation.
• PVDF demonstrated good UV and photocatalysis stability, and the reaction was repeatable.

Conclusions:

• Green solvents can successfully replace NMP for creating PVDF/TiO2 photocatalytic materials.
• PVDF is a suitable polymer for developing stable and repeatable photocatalytic air purification systems.
• Further optimization of synthesis parameters is required to enhance the performance of the PVDF/TiO2 layers.