Titanium dioxide nanoparticles as photocatalyst for degredation and removal of polystyrene microplastics

Abstract

Rising consumerism, mass-production, and the improper disposal of plastic waste has meant the proliferation of plastic pollution in the recent decades. Thus, the degradation of plastic is of great interest to both sustainability efforts and biodiversity, which is often unfortunately the victims of pollution. Thus, this study will explore the use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a photocatalyst to facilitate the degradation of polystyrene. This study comprises three phases. Firstly, titanium nanostructures are synthesised used the hydrothermal method. Next, multiple polystyrene-titanium dioxide thin films will be created using toluene as a solvent. Lastly, these samples will be irradiated under ultraviolet light for different durations of time. Results will be characterised by mass change and FE-SEM imagery.