Preparation, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Degradation Properties of Polyacrylamide/Calcium Alginate/TiO2 Composite Film

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were dispersed in the sodium alginate and acrylamide aqueous solution to prepare the casting solution. The casting solution was spread on a glass plate by a glass rod enlaced with brass wires to control the thickness of the film. Then polyacrylamide/calcium alginate/TiO2 (PAM/CA/T) composite film was obtained after UV irradiation and crosslinking by CaCl2. The PAM/CA/T film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope. The mechanical properties of the films were tested in wet form and the results showed that PAM/CA/T film had good strength and toughness. PAM/CA/T films did not rupture after swelling in 5.0 wt% NaCl solution and still had good mechanical properties. The PAM/CA/T hydrogel film provided a suitable carrier for TiO2 in the photocatalytic degradation of dyes and the degradation rate of PAM/CA/T-30 for methyl orange reached 80.8%. The PAM/CA/T film had good reusability and could degrade dyes in a high concentration of NaCl solution. (C) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers