Photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene glycol by nano-titanium dioxide modified with ferric acetylacetonate

摘要

The surface of anatase TiO_2 nanoparticles was modified by ferric acetylacetonate complex Fe(acac)_3. This modification improved the dispersion of TiO_2 in polymer and also the photocatalytic activity. The photodegradation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) catalyzed by modified TiO _2 (Fe-TiO_2) was extensively studied. The degradation character was evident. For example, the polymer lost its weight gradually, and the molecular weight decreased. Meantime the molecular weight distribution index increased. The molecular weight of PEG has a great influence upon the degradation. In all cases Fe-TiO_2 displayed much higher catalytic activity than the neat TiO_2.