Abstract

MARIN, Juan M; NAVIO, José A; RIOS, Luis A  and  RESTREPO, Gloria. Support of New TiO₂ and TiO₂/SiO₂ Films on Polyester Granules for Photocatalytic Applications. Inf. tecnol. [online]. 2008, vol.19, n.6, pp. 9-20. ISSN 0718-0764.  doi: 10.4067/S0718-07642008000600003.

Films of TiO₂ and of TiO₂/SiO₂ were supported on polyester granules using a diffusion mechanism and a posterior thermal treatment to 100ºC. Two kinds of gels were used. The first one was prepared using different amounts of TiO₂, methylene chloride and liquid silicone. The second one used the sol-gel method to produce a silica matrix by adding tetraethyl orthosilicate, water and 2- propanol. After that the photocatalyst was dispersed in the gel. The precursors of each system were added in different amounts to determine their influence in the stability, properties and photoactivity of the films. The photocatalytic activity was tested in the methanol photodegradation in gas phase. The results show the production of materials with high resistance, functionality and activity as well as a strong dependence between the photocatalityc activity and efficiency with the physicochemical properties of the films.

Keywords : photoactivity; polyester; photocatalysis; catalyst support; titanium oxide.