Preparation,characterization, and photocatalytic degradation properties of polyacrylamide/calcium alginate/TiO2 composite film

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were dispersed in the sodium alginate and acrylamide aqueous solution to prepare the casting solution. The casting solution was spread on a glass plate by a glass rod enlaced with brass wires to control the thickness of the film. Then polyacrylamide/calcium alginate/TiO₂ (PAM/CA/T) composite film was obtained after UV irradiation and crosslinking by CaCl₂. The PAM/CA/T film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope. The mechanical properties of the films were tested in wet form and the results showed that PAM/CA/T film had good strength and toughness. PAM/CA/T films did not rupture after swelling in 5.0 wt% NaCl solution and still had good mechanical properties. The PAM/CA/T hydrogel film provided a suitable carrier for TiO₂ in the photocatalytic degradation of dyes and the degradation rate of PAM/CA/T‐30 for methyl orange reached 80.8%. The PAM/CA/T film had good reusability and could degrade dyes in a high concentration of NaCl solution. POLYM. COMPOS. 37:1292–1301, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers