TiO2 based nano-photocatalysis immobilized on cellulose substrates

• The photocatalytic reactivity of self-cleaning textiles was tested.
• The photocatalytic efficiency of different TiO2 based nanomaterials was compared.
• Three experimental set-ups to simulate photocatalytic scenarios were identified.
• Nano/macro-scale properties were correlated to photonic efficiency.
• Hypothesis on organic dye photodegradation mechanism was made.

This work mainly aims at exploiting the photocatalytic reactivity of nano-TiO2 coatings immobilized on cellulose substrate to get self-cleaning textiles. The efficiency of three commercial nano-titania, in the photo-degradation of organics, was investigated in different experimental conditions. In order to identify different factors affecting the photocatalytic reactivity, various experimental settings were tested to represent the self-cleaning application: TiO2 nanoparticles in solution, TiO2-coated textile dipped in solution and stain on TiO2-coated textile. The degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) was used as model reaction. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the determination of the kinetics of degradation, the photonic efficiency (ξ) and the photocatalytic activity expressed as percentage conversion. The different experimental set-ups let to assess interfaces where nano-TiO2 played its photocatalytic activity and provided information on self-cleaning mechanism.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide