Copper NPs decorated titania to improve the photoactivity under visible light: a novel synthesis by high energy US

Different samples of commercial and micrometer TiO2 were decorated with copper nanoparticles by means of high-energy ultrasounds, and they were tested on the photodegradation of VOC\u2019s in gas phase under visible light, studying in particular the effect of the copper amount first, and also the difference performances using a LED lamp at different irradiation power. The results are consistent with the characterization data, showing an increase of the photoactivity and the absorption in the visible spectra with the increase of the copper amount, but only up to a certain value

Surface decoration of commercial micro-sized TiO2 by means of high energy ultrasound : a way to enhance its photocatalytic activity under visible light

Although the TiO2 is one of the most promising materials for its photocatalytic potential related to the pollution abatement, it strongly suffers from the low photocatalytic activity if it is used under visible light and not under UV light. Among the various possible modifications, the surface decoration with metal or metal oxides NPs can be a good strategy to increase the potential of TiO2 in the visible range. In this paper, a sonochemical method that exploits the use of high-energy ultrasounds is suggested to obtain this surface decoration. The support is a commercial and micrometric TiO2, cheaper and easier to handling than the nanometric P25. Samples were tested on the photodegradation of toluene and acetone in a gas phase system, using both the UV and LED lamp