Photocatalytic oxidation of volatile pollutants of air driven by visible light

A series of materials based on titanium dioxide modified with platinum(IV), chromium(VI) and chromium(III) compounds were prepared. Their photocatalytic activity upon visible light irradiation was tested in the processes of gas-phase oxidation of volatile organic compounds, like acetone and methanol. These experiments confirmed an effective photosensitization of titanium dioxide, similar to that observed in aqueous suspensions of studied photocatalysts. Every material appeared to be more active than neat TiO2 upon visible light irradiation, although yields of oxidation depended on the applied photosensitizer and pollutant.

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► Photosensitized TiO2-based photocatalysts were synthesized by surface modification with platinum and chromium species.
► The photocatalysts were used in visible light driven gas-phase photooxidation of volatile organic pollutants.
► Formation of carbon dioxide as a product confirmed oxidation of pollutants.