Preparation of TiO2-Poly(3-Chloro-2-Hydroxypropyl Methacrylate) Nanocomposite for Selective Adsorption and Degradation of Dyes

Abstract

We report a new nanocomposite TiO2-poly(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) (TiO2-PCHPMA) for selective adsorption/degradation of cationic dyes and degradation of anionic dyes. TiO2-PCHPMA was prepared by free radical polymerization of CHPMA in the presence of TiO2 modified with 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate. TiO2-PCHPMA adsorbed cationic methylene blue (MB), but did not adsorb anionic methyl orange (MO) in their aqueous solutions. The adsorption efficiency for MB reached 99% within 5 min at 28 °C, and adsorbed MB could be recycled in 96% efficiency. The adsorption accelerated degradation of MB under UV irradiation. The degradation of anionic MO proceeded completely with TiO2-PCHPMA under UV irradiation, and the efficiency was not affected by the PCHPMA layer. TiO2-PCHPMA is potentially applicable as a material capable of selective removal and recovery of cationic dyes, and degradation of other dyes from industrial effluents.