X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization of composite TiO2-poly(vinylidenefluoride) films synthesised for applications in pesticide photocatalytic degradation

The use of spin-coating deposition and the increase of TiO2 amount in the DMF suspensions were found to improve the titanium surface content, although high TiO2/PVDF ratios led to film instability. PVDF-TiO2 films were also used in preliminary photocatalytic degradation tests on isoproturon, a phenylurea herbicide, under solar UV irradiation; the results were compared to direct photolysis to evaluate the catalytic efficiency of immobilized TiO2 and the role played by the PVDF film during the degradation process.