engleski

Immobilization of titanium dioxide on a rubber pads for passive air and human health

Over the past few years, people's awareness of environmental pollution and its negative consequences has been increasingly awakened. Air quality declines with time, but it also encourages the new accomplishment in technology. 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 sustainable, cheap 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 titanium dioxide (TiO2) on the surface of rubber pads which can be seen on children's playgrounds and various sports fields. Waste tire management involves environmental, social and economic problems, which has been a major challenge for scientists and industry for decades. Therefore, this paper presents experimental results of one of the possible methods of titanium dioxide immobilization on recycled rubber pad. Rubber pads were obtained from industry which incorporates recycled rubber granulates in its productions. Commercially available TiO2 P25 which is one of the best photocatalysts has been immobilized by modified sol-gel method [2]. Characterization of immobilized layer in terms of crystal structure and morphology was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Advantages and disadvantages were compared so that further research on this topic can be performed. By applying TiO2 on rubber substrates and placing them 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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