Photocatalytic Removal of NOx Gas from Air by TiO2/Polymer Composite Nanofibers

Abstract

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) released in atmosphere by fuels combustion lead to photochemical smog and acidic rains and have negative effects on human`s nervous system. In this research nanocomposite membranes of Poly Vinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)/ Poly Dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2) with different weight percentage of TiO2 (0.5 and 1) for adsorption of NOx were prepared using electrospinning. To investigate the properties of prepared fibers, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Attenuated Total Reflectance spectroscopy (ATR) were used. The fibers morphology and particles distribution in polymer were determined by SEM pictures. The composite fibers with 0.5 wt% TiO2 removed 50% nitrogen oxides and fibers with 1 wt% TiO2 removed 100% of nitrogen oxides. Generally, the presence of Titanium Dioxide nanoparticle (anatase phase) in fibers, vapor and ultraviolet ray have removed toxic NOx gas by contribution in photocatalysis. The ATR spectrum of fibers confirmed NOx adsorption by composite nanofibers. TiO2/ polymer composite membrane showed the promising potential for application as a filter to remove Nitrogen Oxides from air.