Journals Proceedings

Abstract

According to the FE-SEM, EDX, and imaging analysis, nano-ZnO/butadiene rubber composites (NZBC) with various sizes and types of porosity and crack was measured to be coated with relatively homogeneous-distributed nano-ZnO particles. The sorption capacity of NZBC for trichloroethylene (TCE) was close to 60% relative to the initial concentration, and this result was mainly attributed to the amorphous structure of NZBC, hence the hydrophobic partitioning of TCE to the amorphous structure of NZBC intensively occurred. The removal efficiency of TCE in aqueous phase using NZBC was superior to close to 99% relative to the initial concentration, and the removal efficiency of TCE was improved as the amount of NZBC increased. These results stemmed from the synergistic mechanisms with great sorption capability of butadiene rubber and superior photocatalytic activities of nano-ZnO. Finally, the removal efficiency of TCE in aqueous phase using NZBC was well represented by linear model (R2≥0.936), and the Kapp values of NZBC were from 2.64 to 3.85 times greater than those of Kphotolysis with UV only, indicating that butadiene rubber was found to the suitable organic support materials with enhanced sorption capacity and without inhibition of photocatalytic activities of nano-ZnO.