Elucidating the enhanced decomposition of alkyl hydroperoxides on oxygen vacancy rich TiO2-x surfaces using DFT for polyethylene decomposition.

ABSTRACT

Effective photocatalytic polyethylene degradation by TiO2 is hindered by the sluggish kinetics of alkyl hydroperoxide decomposition. Introduction of oxygen vacancies onto TiO2 destabilizes the hydroperoxide O-O bond due to mid-gap states and the elevated Fermi level. Downshift of the d-band center by oxygen vacancies also enhanced adsorbate-surface interactions and lowered the activation energy barrier from Gibbs calculations. Experimental evidence additionally substantiated enhanced polyethylene degradation on TiO2-x compared to TiO2.