engleski

Environmental impact of titanium dioxide immobilization on a rubber pads made with secondary raw materials

Over the past few years, people's awareness of environmental pollution and its negative consequences has been increasingly awakened. Industrial development effects on air quality, but it also encourages the advancement of technology and the interest of scientists. In regard to, the application of heterogeneous photocatalysis in air purification has been developed over the last decades. The synergistic action of solar radiation and photocatalysts (semiconductors) triggers redox reactions on the surface of photocatalysts which successfully remove volatile organic compounds, unpleasant odours, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, ammonia, etc. [1]. The advantage of photocatalysis is cheap, sustainable, and environmentally friendly technology that achieves complete or partial decomposition of pollutants. One of the solutions to achieve passive protection of air and human health is to immobilize layer of titanium dioxide (TiO2) on the surface of rubber pads which can be seen on children's playgrounds and various sports fields. Therefore, this paper presents the experimental results of commercially available TiO2 P25 immobilization on rubber pads by modified sol-gel method. Rubber pads were obtained from industry which incorporates recycled rubber granules in its productions. Characterization of immobilized layer in terms of crystal structure and morphology was investigated by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Stability and environmental impact of treated rubber pads were investigated by leaching test. Additionally, impact of dye additions onto morphology and stability of immobilized photocatalysts layer were investigated. Advantages and disadvantages were compared so that further research on this topic can be performed. By applying photocatalysts on rubber substrates and placing photocatalyzed substrates in the environment in which we live, we come to the possibility that the air we breathe every day is purified and less harmful.

titanium dioxide ; photocatalysis ; recycled rubber ; air purification

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