Enhanced photocatalytic oxidation and biodegradation of polyethylene films with PMMA grafted TiO2 as pro-oxidant additives for plastic mulch application

摘要

In this work, a series of novel poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) grafted TiO2 (TiO2-g-PMMA) nanoparticles were prepared and used as pro-oxidant additives for production of biodegradable low density polyethylene composites (TiO2-g-PMMA/LDPE). The effect of these additives with various grafting percentages of PMMA on the photocatalytic oxidation of TiO2-g-PMMA/LDPE under ultraviolet light irradiation and the biodegradation under fungal strains were studied. The changes of weight loss, carbonyl index, molecular weight, mechanical properties of TiO2-g-PMMA/LDPE were monitored with time and compared with those of pure polyethylene and polyethylene with as-received TiO2 as pro-oxidant additives. It is found the grafting of PMMA on the surface of TiO2 nanoparticle improved the dispersion and compatibility of the additives in the matrix, resulting in enhanced photocatalytic oxidation and biodegradation of polyethylene composites. This study would provide a new perspective and strategy to develop controllable and biodegradable polymeric materials for plastic mulch application. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3409-3417, 2018. (c) 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers