Ultrasonic-promoted rapid preparation of PVC/TiO 2 -BSA nanocomposites: Characterization and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue.

In the present project in order to prevent agglomeration and better dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) in the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix, initially, the surface of TiO2 NPs was covered by bovine serum albumin protein (BSA) via sonication method. Then, the TiO2 -BSA powders were embedded into the PVC matrix using ultrasonic irradiations. With mechanical and magnetic stirring homogenous mixture was not obtained. So sonication process was very essential and vital. Physical, chemical and structural properties of the samples were investigated with various tools. Morphology studies showed the well distribution of spherical TiO2 NPs in the PVC matrix. TGA analysis showed that nanocomposites (NCs) have higher thermal stability than the pristine polymer. The photocatalytic activity tests by destroying the methylene blue dye on the pristine TiO2 NPs, TiO2 -BSA NPs and PVC/TiO2 -BSA NC 6 wt% were examined. The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 NPs was reduced in the presence of BSA and PVC. It can be concluded that the TiO2 -BSA NPs and PVC/TiO2 -BSA NC 6 wt% have UV shielding properties and can protect film from degradation by UV.