Title: Preparation and characterisation of silica-supported TiO₂ photocatalytic coatings by sol-gel

Authors: M.G. Garnica-Romo, M.A. Hernandez Rivera, A.S. Lopez Rodriguez, P. Sifuentes Gallardo, L.L. Diaz-Flores

Addresses: Facultad de Ingenieria Civil, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo, Santiago Tapia 403, Centro, C.P.5800, Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico. ' Division Academica de Ingenieria y Arquitectura, Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Avenida, Universidad S/N Zona de la Cultura, Colonia Magisterial, CP 86040, Villahermosa Centro Tabasco, Mexico. ' Division Academica de Ingenieria y Arquitectura, Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Avenida, Universidad S/N Zona de la Cultura, Colonia Magisterial, CP 86040, Villahermosa Centro Tabasco, Mexico. ' Division Academica de Ingenieria y Arquitectura, Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Avenida, Universidad S/N Zona de la Cultura, Colonia Magisterial, CP 86040, Villahermosa Centro Tabasco, Mexico. ' Division Academica de Ingenieria y Arquitectura, Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Avenida, Universidad S/N Zona de la Cultura, Colonia Magisterial, CP 86040, Villahermosa Centro Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract: In this research, prototype reactor like photoreaction for tracking oxidation reaction|s was built, this consists of a steel container homemade that include a UV energy source adapted with tube photocatalysing film and mixing unit to maintain in constant stirrer the methylene blue solution (like organic sample to photodegradation). The synthesis of photocatalysed film was obtained using particles of TiO₂ in powdered form on glass substrates with a silica polymeric matrix in the sol-gel process. Under controlled fixing conditions this matrix produces a film with active TiO₂ sites, which under strong UV radiation provoke the formation of OH radicals that are the precursors of organic compound oxidation reactions. The degree of oxidation of the colouring agent was tracked by taking samples every 30 minutes and characterised by UV-Vis technique. The X-ray, UV-Vis, IR, and SEM characterisation results indicate that the desired components are present in the film.

Keywords: UV radiation; photocatalytic effect; TiO2 particles; sol-gel; oxidation reactions; methylene blue; organic dyes; titanium dioxide; ultraviolet radiation; photoreaction; silica; photocatalytic coatings.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2011.038717

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2011 Vol.22 No.2, pp.181 - 192

Published online: 27 Nov 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article