Alcohool oxidation performance of TiO2 added polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane at microwave conditions

Catalytic membrane reactors are materials on that fine chemical synthesis and pollution degradation could be done during the filtration. These systems could be commanly controlled by UV, heat and infrared radiation. In this study, materials designed for microwave radiation controlled system, and their performances for benzyl alcohool oxidation were tested at batch reactor. Interaction of TiO2 added PVDF flat sheets (membranes) prepared by phase inversion method with microwave radiation was firstly investigated. FTIR, TG-DTA and SEM analysis with contact angle measurements were conducted.Interaction between TiO2 and PVDF chain was evidenced by 1550 and 1629 cm-1 bands. TiO2 added PVDF membranes had improved filtration and rejection performance. 32.4% BSA rejection was obtained with composites while it was 7.5% of pristine membrane. 93.86% conversion and 56% selectivity were obtained with composites in microwave assisted batch reactor. Decomposition of polymer increased when 6% additive due to catalytic effect of TiO2 then, it decreased with further loading. Detailed evidences were obtained by activation energies (Ea) of decomposition calculated by Kissinger method. Microwave assisted catalytic effect of TiO2 inside polymeric matrix promise to obtain fast, high yielded and disposable membrane materials for catalytic reactors to in-situ production of fine chemicals.