Materials Research

Tunneled Titanate Photocatalysts for Environmental Remediation and Hydrogen Generation

EPA Grant Number: X83254101-1

Center: CEER at Alfred University

Investigators: Edwards, Doreen and Misture, Scott

Institution: Alfred University

Project Period:  September 1, 2006 – February 28, 2008

Research Category: Congressionally Mandated Center

Description:  

Photocatalytic processes are being used for environmental remediation and have shown promise for the production of clean-burning hydrogen fuel.  The continued development of these technologies, particularly those which use solar energy for photoexcitation, will require new and improved photocatalysts.  While the anatase form of TiO₂ is widely used as a photocatalyst, it has several inherent shortcomings.  Titanates with more complex chemistries and structures have shown promise as photocatalysts but have not yet been widely investigated.  In this work, we will prepare and measure the photocatalytic properties of a family of tunneled titanates with the aim of developing materials with improved photocatalytic performance.   

Objectives/Hypotheses: 

This project will determine the relationships between the composition, structure, and photocatalytic properties of tunneled titanate materials.  In studies of BaTi₄O₉ and M₂Ti₆O₁₃ (M = Na, K and Rb), other researchers have suggested that structural features such as a distorted TiO₆ octahedra and tunnel sites may be responsible for enhanced photocatalytic activity.  By preparing and examining different tunneled materials with systematic variations in chemistry and structure, we will be able to further test the validity of this hypothesis and identify factors that influence photocatalytic activity.     

Approach: 

Tunneled titanates with different structures and chemical composition will be prepared using solid-state reaction and hydrothermal methods.  The powders will be characterized to confirm composition and phase purity and to determine crystal structure, absorption properties, and particle morphology.  The powders will be tested for photocatalytic activity for breaking up organic molecules and  for generating hydrogen and oxygen from water.  Their performance will be compared to each other and to that of commercially available anatase photocatalysts.   

Expected Results:  

This project is expected to lead to new and improved photocatalysts.  The development of more efficient and economical technologies based on such photocatalysts will have a profound effect on the quality of our environment.  For example, the widespread use of photocatalytic air purifiers will dramatically improve indoor air quality by removing volatile organic compounds and biological contaminants.  The photocatalytic treatment of industrial waste streams will eliminate some pollution at its source.  Solar photocatalytic technologies will be able to clean contaminated soil and water economically.  The production of hydrogen from water could provide us with a virtually unending supply of clean-burning fuel, which could replace hydrocarbon fuels and dramatically decrease the amount of greenhouse emissions.

Supplemental Keywords: 

photocatalysis, titanates, titanium dioxide, hydrogen production, solar technologies

CEER is funded in large part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

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