초록(영문)
The plastic waste present in the ocean has developed to the size of a huge island, and is having a big impact
on the marine ecosystem. The process of plastic waste dumped in the ocean circulates along the ocean currents
and converges into one place, where plastic breaks down to a fine size due to friction with seawater and
environmental impacts. Plastic particles are called microplastics when they are smaller than 5 mm in diameter, which have been a major cause of environmental pollution because they do not break down easily, float in the sea, and adversely affect the environment. Photocatalyst for water purification is receiving much attention because under UV or irradiation of sunlight, water pollutants such as organic pollutants and microplastics can be decomposed into harmless products such as carbon dioxide and water. In this study, it was found that coating of TiO2 photo catalysts with a specific crystal structure on carbon fiber resulted in a 50% increase in photo catalyst reaction efficiency compared to conventional cotton fibers. It was also confirmed that polystyrene micro - particles adsorbed on the surface of carbon fiber were gradually decomposed through photocatalytic reactions over time. Therefore, if TiO2 stable nanoparticle coating procedure is secured on fiber based on the results of this study, it can be utilized not only in water purification and removal of marine microplastics, but also in personal masks, household curtains, and clothing to expect multifunctional functions such as efficient removal of airborne fine dust, water quality, and UV protection.