METHOD OF PRODUCTION OF PHOTOCATALYTIC POWDER COMPRISING TITANIUM DIOXIDE AND MANGANESE DIOXIDE ACTIVE UNDER ULTRAVIOLET AND VISIBLE LIGHT

摘要

The present invention relates to a method of production of photocatalytic material to be used under UV and visible light. The invention addresses also photocatalytic redox reactions produced by UV and visible light. The photocatalyst is obtained by precipitating titanium dioxide on a sol of manganese dioxide. The method of the invention comprises the steps of providing a mixture of a) hydrated manganese dioxide sol, b) titanium solution and c) NH3 solution, and, the processing of the above. The photocatalyst produced with the method of the invention includes titanium and manganese with the atomic ratio Mn:Ti varying between 0.01 :100 and 33:100. The manganese acts both as a dopant and as a photosensitizer. The photocatalyst is active under both UV and visible light and is able to decompose organic and inorganic pollutants. For example the photocatalyst may be used for degradation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as acetaldehyde (CH3CHO), formaldehyde (CH2O), benzene, toluene etc and Inorganic Compounds such as NOx, CO2 under both, UV and visible light. In general the photocatalyst can be used as obtained or embedded in a matrix (e.g. concrete, cement, mortar, stucco, paint etc) or immobilized on or in a solid surface/ body. The photocatalyst can be further used for air or water de-pollution.