Application of novel copolymer-TiO2 membranes for some textile dyes adsorptive removal from aqueous solution and photocatalytic decolorization

Novel low density polyethylene-grafted-poly(4-vinylpyridine-co-acrylamide) (LDPE-g-P(4-VP/AAm)) films were prepared by means of gamma-radiation-induced graft copolymerization as support for photocatalytic application. Nanometer-sized TiO2 particles were immobilized to the grafted LDPE via dip coating technique. The efficiency of immobilized photocatalyst is tested on two target pollutants (textile azo dyes: Remazol red RB-133 (RR RB 133) and reactive blue 2 (R82)). The efficient photocatalytic ability as reflected in determined photobleaching rate of both dyes was observed and is comparable to that for the non-supported TiO2 used in a typical slurry photoreactor. The LDPE-g-(4-VP/AAm) copolymers supported TiO2 photocatalyst has the practical advantages of easy separation and removal from the polluted environment. It could be a viable technique for the safe disposal of textile wastewater into the water streams. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.