NU 2011-059

Inventors

Kimberly Gray*
Mark Hersam*
Yu Teng Liang
Baiju Vijayan

Abstract

Prof. Hersam's work with titania (TiO2) catalysts and graphene has demonstrated increased photocatalytic conversion efficiency and increased throughput compared to prior titania or titania-composite catalysts. Titania catalysts are a growing tool for the decomposition of hazardous organic chemicals. In the presence of ultraviolet (UV) light, titania generates hydroxyl radicals that break down pesticides, industrial solvents, odor and taste compounds as well as destroying many pathogenic microorganisms. Applications include waste water treatment, industrial air filtering systems, and combustion gas scrubbing. Prof. Hersam's approach has minimized the defect density of the graphene-titania composite thereby increasing the effective photo-capture area of the catalyst. In this manner, the photocatalytic conversion efficiency is improved not only for UV but also visible light. Proto-type catalysts have been produced and a field trial in water treatment for offshore oil platforms is being planned.

Applications

• Waste water treatment
• Industrial air filtering systems
• Combustion gas scrubbing

Advantages

• Increased photo-capture area of catalyst
• Improved conversion efficiency for UV and visible light

Publications

Liang Y, Vijayan B, Gray K and Hersam M (2011) Minimizing Graphene Defects Enhances Titania Nanocomposite-Based Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 for Improved Solar Fuel Production. Nano Letters. 11: 2865-2870.

Liang Y, Vijayan B, Lyandres O, Gray K and Hersam M (2012) Effect of Dimensionality on the Photocatalytic Behavior of Carbon-Titania Nanosheet Composites: Charge Transfer at Nanomaterial. Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. 3: 1760-1765.

IP Status

A patent application has been filed.