Efficient and reusable 3D TiO2@PDMS sponge composites for solar driven photocatalytic degradation of water pollutants
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The rapid growth of the global population has increased the need for efficient fabrication methods and materials to purify polluted water. In this study, we report the fabrication and characterization of reusable and efficient three-dimensional (3 D ) polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sponge composites designed for water treatment applications. By varying the ratios (10/90, 30/70, and 50/50) of large and small sacrificial templates’ particles used in the fabrication method, we tailored the sponge’s morphology and the interconnected pores’ distribution. To achieve an enhanced photocatalytic activity, we incorporated titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) at different concentrations (1 % TiO 2 , 5 % TiO 2 , and 10 % TiO 2 w/w) into the PDMS matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the structure of both 3 D PDMS and TiO 2 @PDMS sponges, while energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the successful incorporation of TiO 2 into the sponge framework. The photocatalytic performance of the 3 D TiO 2 @PDMS composites was assessed by monitoring the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under solar light irradiation, and the results were compared to those obtained using reference (TiO 2 -free) sponges under identical conditions. Very low Ti leaching effect have been evidenced by using Inductively Coupled Plasma−Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The reusability of the sponges was demonstrated through complete bleaching of the 554 nm RhB absorption band after four consecutive degradation cycles.
Source: Results in Engineering
Institution: National Institute of Materials Physics
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,940
Award: G5311422666
OpenAlex ID: W4414039425