Hybrid metal oxides/polymer nanocom

Hybrid metal oxides/polymer nanocomposites, namely TiO2/(TiO2–
V2O5)/polypyrrole (PPy), were synthesized via in situ polymerization.
Structures of the products were characterized by SEM–EDX,
XRD, and FTIR techniques. The light absorbance and band gap
energy values of the materials were evaluated by UV/Visible spectroscopy.
The catalytic activity of the materials was determined
from a degradation of methylene blue. It was found that, regardless
of the polymerization time, the absorbance of TiO2/(TiO2–V2O5)/
PPy was greater than those of TiO2/PPy and the neat TiO2, respectively.
This was in accordance with the decrease in the band gap
energy of the materials. The catalytic activity of TiO2/(TiO2–V2O5)
was also observed in the dark. After polymerization, the catalytic
activity of nanocomposite under UV/Visible light and in the dark
was compromised. The above effects are discussed in the light of
the energy storage ability of V2O5 and capability of the polymer
in acting as a binder for the system.