Photocatalytic Degradation of Microplastic Polyamide 66 by Ag/TiO2 Composite: Preparation of Catalysts and Photocatalytic Degradation Mechanism

In this study, an efficient photocatalyst Ag/TiO2 was prepared by the photo-assisted deposition method, and the photocatalytic degradation of polyamide66 (PA66) was conducted under UVA irradiation. The degradation effectiveness and mechanism of PA66 were investigated using the combination of observed phenomena and FTIR testing. Experimental results showed that in the absence of light, PA66 did not show significant degradation. However, under UVA irradiation, when the mass ratio of photocatalyst to PA66 was 1:1 and 3:1, significant degradation of PA66 was observed. Moreover, when the Ag/TiO2 was added more, the photocatalytic degradation of PA66 was more thorough, with an increase in C = O formation and complete oxidation of CH2.Meanwhile, based on the FTIR test results before and after the degradation of PA66, this study explores for the first time the photocatalytic degradation mechanism and process of Ag/TiO2 on PA66 under ultraviolet light irradiation. This research can fill the current research gap in the photocatalytic degradation of microplastics PA66 and provide valuable references for related theoretical research and applications.