2024/03/15 by Qaisar Maqbool, Orlando Favoni, Thomas Wicht +6 · 2 voices · 1 citation
Chemistry · Energy · #Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques #Nanomaterials for catalytic reactions #TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells
paper · pdf · doi:10.1021/acscatal.3c06203
openalex publication_date 2024/03/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Adding photocatalytically active TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) to polymeric paints is a feasible route toward self-cleaning coatings. While paint modification by TiO 2 -NPs may improve photoactivity, it may also cause polymer degradation and release of toxic volatile organic compounds. To counterbalance adverse effects, a synthesis method for nonmetal (P, N, and C)-doped TiO 2 -NPs is introduced, based purely on waste valorization. PNC-doped TiO 2 -NP characterization by vibrational and photoelectron spectroscopy, electron microscopy, diffraction, and thermal analysis suggests that TiO 2 -NPs were modified with phosphate (P═O), imine species (R═N-R), and carbon, which also hindered the anatase/rutile phase transformation, even upon 700 °C calcination. When added to water-based paints, PNC-doped TiO 2 -NPs achieved 96% removal of surface-adsorbed pollutants under natural sunlight or UV, paralleled by stability of the paint formulation, as confirmed by micro-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) surface analysis. The origin of the photoinduced self-cleaning properties was rationalized by three-dimensional (3D) and synchronous photoluminescence spectroscopy, indicating that the dopants led to 7.3 times stronger inhibition of photoinduced e – /h + recombination when compared to a benchmark P25 photocatalyst.