Investigations of photocatalytic activities of photosensitive semiconductors dispersed into epoxy matrix

New hybrid catalyst coating has been synthesised encapsulating TiO2 nanoparticles into an epoxy matrix by means of UV-induced polymerization. It was shown that the presence of the titania nanoparticles did not significantly influence the curing process. Morphological analysis of the achieved UV cured coatings containing titania showed an homogeneous distribution of the inorganic particles, with an average size between 130 and 160 nm. It is mandatory that the coating will not be itself degraded during UV irradiation. FT-IR measures performed on aged coatings subjected to UV irradiation for 41 days showed that the photodegradation of either the pristine epoxy coating or coating containing the photocatalyst was negligible. The photocatalytic efficiency of these new catalysts was evaluated by studying the degradation of some organic compounds under UV light. Methylene blue was employed as model molecule to investigate the photoactivity toward organic molecule directly adsorbed on the coating surface. Under irradiation, complete dye degradation was achieved within 90 min. Phenol and 3,5-dichlorophenol were used as target molecules for studying photoactivity toward organic compounds dissolved in aqueous solution. Also in these cases, complete degradation of the organic compounds was achieved.