Nano-TiO2 sols immobilized on porous silica as new efficient photocatalyst

Nanocoatings of an extremely small thickness below 10 nm prepared from metastable chemically active TiO2 colloids demonstrate both high mechanical stability and internal efficiency in photocatalysis [M. Benmami, K. Chhor, A. Kanaev, Chem. Phys. Lett. 422 (2006) 552]. To overcome their inherently low absorption, porous substrates of high UV transparency have to be used. We have studied influence of substrate on the nanocatalyst performance. The catalyst prepared by impregnation of 6.0 nm TiO2 particles in nanoporous silica granulate at mass loading of ∼0.55% demonstrates the highest photocatalytic efficiency of 0.45 (TCE test). The catalyst specific surface of 330 m2/g is almost not affected by the particle impregnation. Our results show a high potential of this nanostructured catalyst for applications in reactive gas cleaning.

The catalyst prepared by impregnation of 6.0 nm TiO2 particles in nanoporous silica granulate at mass loading of ∼0.55% demonstrates the highest photocatalytic efficiency of 0.45 (TCE test). The catalyst specific surface of 330 m2/g is almost not affected by the particle impregnation. Our results show a high potential of this nanostructured catalyst for applications in reactive gas cleaning.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide