Solid-phase photocatalytic degradation of polyaniline under UVA and UVC light irradiation

In this study, pure polyaniline (PANI0) and polyaniline/titanium dioxide composites, including 15 wt.% TiO2 (PANI15) and 25 wt.% TiO2 (PANI25), respectively, were synthesised using an in-situ polymerisation technique in the absence and in the presence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, respectively. The solid-phase photocatalytic degradation of polyaniline/titanium dioxide (TiO2) composites was compared with that of the pure polyaniline with the aid of weight loss measurements. The structural and morphological properties of the prepared samples were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The loading of TiO2 nanoparticles in polyaniline enhanced the solid-phase photocatalytic degradation of the pure polymer both under UVA light and under UVC light, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy illustrated that Pani was synthesised successfully in the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed homogeneous TiO2 dispersion within Pani matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis supported the idea that the thermal property of the pure polymer was improved with the photocatalyst contribution. The crystalline structure of TiO2 did not change with Pani.