Development of Titanium Dioxide (TiO <sub/>2</sub> )-Embedded Buoyant Photocatalyst Balls Using Expanded Polystyrene

摘要： A new immobilization technique of nanoscale TiO2 powders to expanded polystryrene (EPS) balls with temperature-controlled melting method was developed for mass production, and the characterization of TiO2 powder-embedded EPS (TiEPS) balls was evaluated. Based on the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and associated energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis, the components of intact EPS balls are carbon and oxygen whereas those of TiEPS balls are carbon, oxygen, and titanium, indicating that TiO2 powders were embedded on the surface of EPS balls. As also evident by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FTIR analyses, no significant changes in crystalline structure of TiO2 powders embedded on the EPS balls were found during the preparation and application processes of TiEPS balls. These characterization results indicated that the patches of TiO2 powders were soundly impregnated over the surface of EPS balls without the significant changes in crystalline structure of TiO2 powders and both structural changes and deformation of EPS polymer.