Multi-Element Titanium Dioxide Photocatalyst for Visible-Light Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photocatalytic materials, particularly titanium dioxide, exhibit limited photocatalytic capacity when exposed to natural or artificial lighting, especially under visible light conditions, and are ineffective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
Introducing impurities of metal elements from the d-block and p-block of the periodic table, such as manganese and aluminum, into titanium dioxide, and processing the mixture to form a photocatalyst that is activated by both ultraviolet and visible radiation, enhancing photocatalytic activity and antibacterial properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If pure titanium dioxide is used as photocatalyst, then chemical stability is maintained, but photocatalytic capacity under visible light is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite photocatalyst by introducing multiple metal impurities (Mn, Co, Ni, Cu from d-block and Al, Ga, In from p-block) into the titanium dioxide lattice. This composite structure combines the chemical stability of TiO2 with the visible light absorption capabilities of transition metal impurities, resolving the contradiction between stability and photocatalytic capacity under visible light
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of titanium dioxide by controlling the concentration ranges of metal impurities (0.01-5% for d-block elements, 0.01-3% for p-block elements) and their atomic ratios. These parameter changes enable the material to absorb visible light while maintaining structural stability, thereby improving photocatalytic capacity without sacrificing chemical stability
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional photocatalysts are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant bacteria is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a multi-element doped TiO2 composite that maintains the simple sol-gel manufacturing process while enhancing antibacterial effectiveness. The combination of multiple metal impurities creates synergistic effects that improve the photocatalyst's ability to generate reactive oxygen species capable of inactivating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, without complicating the manufacturing procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The metal impurities act as intermediaries that facilitate electron-hole separation and transfer to oxygen molecules, generating superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals. These reactive species serve as intermediaries in the antibacterial mechanism, enabling the photocatalyst to effectively attack and inactivate antibiotic-resistant bacteria while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The multi-element photocatalyst demonstrates improved photocatalytic activity under solar and artificial light, effectively decomposing pollutants and inactivating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making it suitable for water and air purification, and surface coatings for indoor and outdoor use.
Implementation Method 1
Photocatalysis based on semiconductor materials follows a simple mechanism that involves a few steps. When light, with energy equal to at least the energy gap of a semiconductor is absorbed by a semiconductor, a number of electrons equal to the number of absorbed photons undergo a transition from the valence band to the conduction band leaving holes behind.
Implementation Method 2
When light, with energy equal to at least the energy gap of a semiconductor is absorbed by a semiconductor
Implementation Method 3
a photocatalyst comprising titanium oxide and impurities of a metal element from the d-block of the periodic table and impurities of a metal element from the p-block of the periodic table
Implementation Method 4
they become capable of initiating surface chemical reactions, usually through the production of strongly oxidizing radicals of hydroxyl and peroxide type
Data Source
AI summary
A photocatalyst consists of TiO2 with impurities of metal elements from the d-block and the p-block of the periodic table. The method of production of the photocatalyst includes a) preparation of a mixture including titanium and elements or compounds, comprising at least one metal element or compound of a metal element of d-block, preferably manganese and a metal element or a compound of a metal element of the p-block, preferably aluminum, b) processing of the mixture and c) obtaining the photocatalyst containing TiO2 with impurities of at least one metal element from the d-block and at least one metal element from the p-block. When the photocatalyst is activated in the presence of solar radiation and inactivate bacteria resistant to antibiotics and microorganisms with different levels of resistance to stressful disinfection conditions, it removes degrading residual water resistance genes and decompose antibiotics from waste-water, effluent and other liquid wastes.