Titania films, photocatalytic applications

Vlachos P, Stathatos E, Lyberatos G, Lianos P (2008) Gas-phase photocatalytic degradation of 2, 4, 6- trichloroanisole in the presence of a nanocrystalline Titania film. Applications to the treatment of cork stoppers. Catal Commun 9 1987-1990... 

We focus attention here on titania (Ti02) for the following reasons. The first is that titania is a widely used oxide support for both metal particles and metal oxides, and used in some cases also directly as catalyst (Claus reaction, for example). The second is that it possesses multifunctional properties, such as Lewis and Bronsted sites, redox centres, etc. The third is that it has several applications both as a catalyst and an advanced material for coating, sensors, functional films, etc. The fourth is its high photocatalytic activity which make titania unique materials. 

The principle and the research progress in the electrophoretic sol-gel deposition technique, which is combined sol-gel method for particle preparation and electrophoretic deposition of the sol-gel derived particles, have been described. In the principal, (1) preparation of particles by the sol-gel method, (2) deposition of particles by electrophoresis, (3) constant-voltage and constant-current deposition, and (4) solvent and electrification are introduced, hi the practical application, (1) silica thickfihns, (2) titania thick films, (3) polysilsesquioxane thick films, and (4) template-based oxide nanorods are illustrated. The electrophoretic sol-gel deposition technique offers the advantages of functional coatings in various research fields such as chemically and mechanically protective, electrically conductive, photocatalytic and bioactive materials, and it expands the possibility of fabricating optical components and ahgned micro- and nanostructures. 

Langlet M., Kim A., Audier M., Guillard C., Herrmann J.M. Liquid phase processing and thin film deposition of titania nanocrystallites for photocatalytic applications on thermally sensitive substrates. J. Mater. Sci. 2003 38 3945-3953... 

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