Visible light photocatalytic degradation of HDPE microplastics using vanadium-doped titania

Esther Mbuci Kinyua ^a , George William Atwoki Nyakairu ^a*, Emmanuel Tebandeke ^a, Oghenekaro Nelson Odume ^b

^a Makerere University, 7062 University Rd, Kampala, Uganda

^b Rhodes University, Drosty Rd, Grahamstown, Makhanda, 6139, South Africa

Corresponding author e-mail: gwnyakairu@gmail.co

Esther Mbuci Kinyua: mbuciax@gmail.com; Emmanuel Tebandeke: emmanuel.tebandeke@gmail.com; Oghenekaro Nelson Odume: n.odume@ru.ac.za

April 9, 2024

https://doi.org/10.29258/CAJWR/2024-R1.v10-1/126-141.eng

Abstract

Efficient strategies are necessary to effectively remove microplastics (MPs), which are widely present in the environment. Among various techniques, photocatalysis using visible light has emerged as a promising ap-proach to tackle the growing concerns surrounding microplastic waste. This research explored the potential of vanadium-doped titanium oxide as a photocatalyst for degrading high-density polyethylene (HDPE) micro-plastics under visible light irradiation. Vanadium-doped titanium oxide photocatalyst was synthesized using the sol-gel method, and then characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-visible spectroscopy. The XRD analysis confirmed the formation of the anatase phase, while the SEM imaging provided valuable information on the catalyst’s morphology and elemental composition. The successful incorporation of vanadium ions into the structure was demonstrated by UV-visible spectrosco-py that revealed a redshift in the absorption edge. The vanadium-doped titanium oxide photocatalyst was em-ployed in the degradation of HDPE under visible light. The experimental results exhibited a significant reduc-tion in the mass of the plastic after 350 hours of illumination. V-TiO₂ achieved a maximum reduction of 5.7%, while TiO₂ nanoparticles showed only the 2% decrease. This study demonstrates the potential of V-TiO₂ as an efficient visible-light-driven photocatalyst for HDPE degradation, contributing to the mitigation of microplastics pollution in a sustainable manner.

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For citation: Kinyua, E., Nyakairu, G., Tebandeke, E., Odume, O. (2024). Visible light photocatalytic degradation of HDPE microplastics using vanadium-doped titania. Central Asian Journal of Water Research,  10(1), 126-141. https://doi.org/10.29258/CAJWR/2024-R1.v10-1/126-141.eng

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