Structure and properties of hybrid PP/TiO2 nanocomposites and mesoporous TiO2 prepared via solvent crazing

• Published in: Nanotechnologies in Russia Vol. 7; no. 7-8; pp. 377 - 384
• Main Authors: Volkov, A. V., Polyanskaya, V. V., Moskvina, M. A., Zezin, S. B., Dement’ev, A. I., Volynskii, A. L., Bakeev, N. F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 01.07.2012
• Subjects: Chemistry and Materials Science; Industrial and Production Engineering; Machines; Manufacturing; Materials Science; Nanotechnology; Processes; Sorp Tion; Open Porous Structure; Optical Microscopic Photograph; Hydrophobic Balance; Nanoporous Structure
• ISSN: 1995-0780; 1995-0799
• DOI: 10.1134/S1995078012040155

A new method for the preparation of hybrid film polymer PP/amorphous TiO 2 nanocomposites and mesoporous crystal TiO 2 (anatase) using the crazing phenomenon has been developed. The porous structure and the sorption activity thereof were investigated. The PP/TiO 2 nanocomposite has an open-porous structure (S sp = 5.5 m 2 /g; D p = 12, 25, and >300 nm). The hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance of amorphous titanium dioxide in the PP/TiO2 nanocomposite provides significant sorption activity with respect to dye molecules upon sorption from both hydrophobic and aqueous media. The hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance of an inorganic photolytic sorbent, mesoporous crystal TiO 2 (S sp = 140 m 2 /g, D p = 24 nm), can be changed by processing in an aqueous medium. The low-temperature nitrogen sorption by the PP/TiO 2 nanocomposite was shown to be almost completely irreversible. One possible explanation for this unusual fact is associated with the formation of a thin dense film on the composite surface during the evaporation of nitrogen that prevents the removal of nitrogen from internal areas of the sample.