PHOTOCATALYTIC METAL OXIDE NANOMATERIALS; METHOD OF MAKING VIA H2-PLASMA TREATMENT; USE FOR ORGANIC WASTE DECONTAMINATION IN WATER

摘要

The present invention is directed to black TiO2 nanoparticles having H2-plasma induced surface defects. The surface defects generate mid-band gap states, which enable the black TiO2 nanoparticles to absorb visible and IR light. The enhanced visible and IR light absorption allows the black TiO2 nanoparticles to serve as photocatalysts in the solar-induced decomposition of pollutant organic compounds in water, an important application in water treatment systems. The present invention is further directed to a method of generating the black TiO2 nanoparticles utilizing H2-plasma to introduce surface defects without changing the oxidation state of the titanium in the nanomaterial.