Baia L., Baia M., Baia L., Baia M., Vasiliu F., Diamandescu L., Peter A., Cosoveanu V., Danciu V.
Babes-Bolyai University, RO
Keywords: photocatalysis, TiO2-Ag porous nanocomposites
The photo-assisted catalytic decomposition of organic pollutants from water and air by employing titanium dioxide as photocatalysts is a very promising method. TiO2 based aerogels are porous solid materials with high surface area, ultra-low density and high homogeneity that confer them important advantages in photocatalysis based applications. On the other hand, the contact between TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles positively influences the energetic and interfacial charge transfer processes, leading to an improvement of the photocatalytic activity [1]. In this work, porous nanocomposites based on TiO2 aerogels and Ag colloidal particles were synthesized by using the preparation chemical route of the silver colloidal particles in the aerogels presence. For enabling the formation of the TiO2 anatase phase, which exhibits improved photocatalytic performances, the nanoarchitectures were subjected to a thermal treatment. The preliminary tests of photocatalytic activity carried out on the samples reveal exceptional results in comparison with the commercial product Degussa P25. The samples were comparatively structurally and morphologically analyzed to explain the nanocomposites photocatalytic performances in terms of the influence of the metallic nanoparticles and/or clusters on the TiO2 aerogel network. [1]. P. D. Cozzoli, E. Fanizza, R. Comparelli, M. L. Curri, A. Agostano, J. Phys. Chem. B, 108 (2004) 9623.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Nanotechnology 2008: Materials, Fabrication, Particles, and Characterization – Technical Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: June 1, 2008
Pages: 381 - 384
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Composite Materials
ISBN: 978-1-4200-8503-7