PHOTOCATALYST

Nguyen Thi Dieu Thuy, Chonbuk National University

October , 2015

CONTEXT
1)

Photocatalys

2)

Nanoparticles necessary for

photocatalyst with high activity

1. Photocatalyst
A photocatalyst is a substance that useslight energytofacilitate a
chemical reaction.
In the presence of light and water,
Photocatalyst creates strong
oxidation agent and electronic
holes to breakdown the organic
matter to carbon dioxide and water

Chlorophyll of plants is a
typical natural photocatalyst.
Chlorophyll captures sunlight
to turn water and carbon
dioxide into oxygen and
glucose.

Mechanism of Photocatalysis

This cycle continues when light

is available.

Basic Functions of Photocatalyst

a. Sterilizing Effect
Photocatalyst does not only kill bacteria cells, but also decompose the
cell itself.
The titanium dioxide photocatalyst has been found to be more effective
than any other antibacterial agent, because the photocatalytic reaction
works even when there are cells covering the surface and while the
bacteria are actively propagating.

Basic Functions of Photocatalyst

b. Deodorizing effect
The hydroxyl radicals accelerate the breakdown of
any Volatile Organic Compounds by destroying the
molecular bonds.
This will help combine the organic gases to form a
single molecule that is not harmful to humans thus
enhance the air cleaning efficiency.

c. Air Purifying Effect

Applications of photocatalyst air purification

d. Anti fogging, Self-Cleaning

When the original building materials are coated with a photocatalyst, a
protective film of titanium provides the self-cleaning building by becoming
antistatic, super oxidative, and hydrophilic.

e. Water Purification
Photocatalyst coupled with UV lights can oxidize organic
pollutants into nontoxic materials, such as CO2 and water and
can disinfect certain bacteria.
This technology is very effective at removing further hazardous
organic compounds (TOCs) and at killing a variety of bacteria
and some viruses in the secondary wastewater treatment.

Degradation of Dyes using TiO2

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TiO2 Degrading Methylene Blue

Absorbance s. Time
1.6
1.5
1.4
Absorbance
1.3
1.2
1.1
1
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Time (mins)

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2. Nanoparticles necessary for photocatalyst with high activity

Small size
The big surface area
Shape and size of
interactive surface
Adsorption potential

A good
photocatalyst
with high
activity

Quantum size effects on the nanoparticles properties. Thus by

varying the size of the semiconductor particles, it is possible to
enhance the redox potential of the valence-band holes and the
conduction band electrons.

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THANK YOU
FOR
YOUR
ATTENTION
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