Photocatalytic Degradation of Polyethylene Plastics Using MgAl2O4 Nanoparticles Prepared by Solid State Method

Abstract

In this study, MgAl2O4 nanoparticles with different calcination times were synthesized for photocatalytic applications. Different analyses techniques such as XRD, SEM, EDX, UV-visible, and FTIR were performed to investigate the structural, chemical, optical, and mor-phological properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. XRD analysis revealed the formation MgAl2O4 spinel structure. UV-Visible measurements indicate that MgAl2O4-2 nanoparticles had a narrower energy gap compared to MgAl2O4-1 and MgAl2O4-3. Results of SEM analysis revealed that the synthesized MgAl2O4 nanoparticles consist of small aggregated particles with (40-60 nm) particles size. EDX measurements con-firmed the formation of MgAl2O4 nanoparticles without any impurities. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated by the photodegradation of polyethylene plastics using MgAl2O4 nanoparticles under UV irradiation. The FT-IR measurements before and after the degradation of polyethylene plastics confirm the formation of new functional groups as a result of photodegradation processes.