Application of composite materials based on manganese and titanium oxides for the degradation of polyethylene films

Abstract

The widespread use of polyethylene as a packaging material has raised concerns about its environmental persistence. This study explores the application of manganese and titanium oxide-based composite materials for the photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene films. By incorporating manganese oxides (MnOx) into TiO2 matrices, the photocatalytic efficiency is enhanced due to improved charge carrier separation and extended spectral response into the visible range. The synthesized MnOx/TiO2 composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), confirming their structural and optical properties. The degradation kinetics of polyethylene films were monitored using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC), demonstrating significant reductions in polymer molecular weight. The study also analyzed reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, which confirmed increased hydroxyl radical concentrations. The MnOx/TiO2 composites exhibited enhanced catalytic activity, achieving a 60% higher degradation rate compared to pristine TiO2. Additionally, the materials retained over 85% of their initial efficiency after five successive degradation cycles, highlighting their recyclability. These findings underscore the potential of MnOx/TiO2 composites as effective photocatalysts for mitigating polyethylene pollution, with implications for large-scale environmental applications.