Photocatalyst properties depend on the mix

摘要： Photocatalysts use light to power chemical reactions in a whole host of applications from fuel cells to water remediation. There are many ways to improve the performance of titania (TiO2) photocatalysts from using catalyst support materials, which increase photosensitization rates, and help break down organic pollutants, to doping or co-doping with other atoms to expand the absorption range. Since using metal atoms such as dopants is problematic for water treatment if they leach into the environment, non-metallic dopants like nitrogen (N) are considered safer. Researchers from the University of South Africa have used these two strategies in conjunction to produce N-doped TiO2 photocatalysts on a carbon nanotube (CNT) support and systematically compared the effects of using different synthesis routes. Edward N. Nxumalo and his team find that photocatalysts with distinctly different properties and performance are produced depending on whether a hydrothermal or solgel synthetic route is used.