Development of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)-Embedded Buoyant Photocatalyst Balls Using Expanded Polystyrene

: 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.