| Title |
In-situ photocatalytic degradation of low-density polyethylene: A pathway towards eco-sustainability and circular economy |
| ID_Doc |
27905 |
| Authors |
Tejaswini, MSSR; Pathak, P |
| Title |
In-situ photocatalytic degradation of low-density polyethylene: A pathway towards eco-sustainability and circular economy |
| Year |
2023 |
| Published |
|
| DOI |
10.1016/j.scp.2023.101320 |
| Abstract |
The present study demonstrates the accelerated rate of photo-degradation in low-density polyeth-ylene (LDPE) films using nanomaterials like titanium dioxide (TiO2) in a photochemical reactor, an efficient, environmentally benign, and sustainable chemical. The effect of various parameters such as source of light, catalyst loading, pH, and temperature was investigated to achieve maxi-mum degradation on a laboratory scale. The surface morphology with molecular and chemical structure changes in the nanocomposite films was monitored before and after degradation using various analytical techniques. It is found that the degradation reaction rate is greatly affected by pH and temperature and follows the first-order photo-thermal kinetics reactions. The calculated activation energies for the different properties range from 77.6 kJ/mol for carbonyl group forma-tion to 55 kJ/mol for vinyl group formation at an optimum pH of 4 and temperature of 30 degrees C, re-spectively. The optimized sample's storage modulus (Esm) increased from 17.76 to 210 MPa, demonstrating the loss of tensile strength after irradiation and increased elasticity. Thus, it clearly demonstrated that the LDPE sample loaded with 12% catalyst and exposed to 288 h at pH 4 and 30 degrees C temperature degraded most efficiently with 6.25% weight loss. In addition, there is a high correlation between the area of degradation and carbonyl index with R2 > 0.96, which helps in validating the fact that during the degradation process, there is volatilization of degrada-tion products that leads to the formation of 0.523 mm (in length) of holes (microscopic analysis). This study brings new insights into reducing plastic pollution by minimizing waste prevention and generation at the source by promoting the usage of intermediates (formed during degrada-tion) as a secondary material for producing new plastic products. |
| Author Keywords |
Low-density polyethylene; Degradation; Nanomaterials; Photocatalysis; UV light |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) |
| EID |
WOS:001104640600001 |
| WoS Category |
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary; Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Environmental Sciences |
| Research Area |
Chemistry; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Environmental Sciences & Ecology |
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