Synthesis of TiO 2 -grafted onto PMMA film via ATRP: Using monomer as a coupling agent and reusability in photocatalytic application

Abstract Grafting TiO 2 onto PMMA was studied using the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique. Each step in the grafting process was monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), 1 H NMR and 13 C NMR spectra. The glass temperature was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The morphology and bulk composition were characterized by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The morphology of particles grafted onto the polymer was investigated by the cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface composition was measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). As a result, a method of grafting TiO 2 onto PMMA was successfully completed and confirmed by various techniques. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated under UV light irradiation. The reusability of TiO 2 -g-PMMA films was studied in detail.