Study of the interaction between low density polyethylene and TiO2 in different environments. Influence of the presence and absence of radiation, and of the atmosphere (O2, N2 or Ar)

Abstract

In the process of photocatalytic degradation of plastics, the surface interaction between the plastic material and the photocatalyst results crucial. The present work focuses on using a specific TiO₂ photocatalytic semiconductor whose hierarchical structure favours the interaction with low density polyethylene (LDPE), a key component in plastics. An exhaustive study of the nature of this interaction is conducted, analysing the influence of the atmosphere and radiation. The results obtained indicate that the observed interaction can be modulated by controlling the atmosphere, evolving into a degradation process whose mechanism also depends on the absence or the presence of light. This point is particularly relevant as it highlights the dual nature of TiO₂ as both photocatalyst and catalyst.