Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/Poly(lactic acid) Polymeric Blends Electrospun with TiO2-R/Fe3O4 for Pollutant Photodegradation

This work aimed to use the electrospinning technique to obtain PBAT/PLA polymer fibers, with the semiconductors rutile titanium dioxide (TiO2-R) and magnetite iron oxide (Fe3O4), in order to promote the photocatalytic degradation of environmental contaminants. The parameters used in the electrospinning process to obtain the fibers were distance from the needle to the collecting target of 12 cm, flow of 1 mL h(-1) and voltage of 14 kV. The best mass ratio of semiconductors in the polymeric fiber was defined from a 2(2) experimental design, and the values obtained were 10% TiO2-R, 1% Fe3O4 at pH 7.0. Polymer fibers were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) techniques. SEM measurements indicated a reduction in fiber diameter after the incorporation of semiconductors; for the PBAT/PLA fiber, the average diameter was 0.9466 +/- 0.2490 mu m, and for the fiber with TiO2-R and Fe3O4 was 0.6706 +/- 0.1447 mu m. In the DSC, DRX, TGA and FTIR analyses, it was possible to identify the presence of TiO2-R and Fe3O4 in the fibers, as well as their interactions with polymers, demonstrating changes in the crystallinity and degradation temperature of the material. These fibers were tested against Reactive Red 195 dye, showing an efficiency of 64.0% within 24 h, showing promise for photocatalytic degradation of environmental contaminants.

Automated summary

This study aimed to use electrospinning to obtain PBAT/PLA polymer fibers with semiconductors TiO2-R and Fe3O4 to enhance the photocatalytic degradation of environmental contaminants. The parameters used in electrospinning were a needle to target distance of 12 cm, a flow rate of 1 mL h(-1), and a voltage of 14 kV. The best mass ratio of semiconductors in the fibers was determined to be 10% TiO2-R and 1% Fe3O4 at pH 7.0. Characterization techniques such as SEM, DSC, XRD, TGA, and FTIR confirmed the presence of TiO2-R and Fe3O4 in the fibers and their interaction with the polymers, leading to changes in crystallinity and degradation temperature. The fibers exhibited a 64.0% efficiency in degrading Reactive Red 195 dye within 24 hours, indicating potential for photocatalytic degradation of environmental contaminants.