Photocatalyst Production Using Bone or Shell Powder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photocatalysts are inefficient in degrading nitrogen oxides (NOx) due to their limited responsiveness to visible light, and the doping processes used to enhance their efficacy are time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the production of a photocatalyst by mixing a transitional metal or its oxide with bone or shell powder, followed by heating and calcination, to create a catalyst effective in degrading NOx using solar or visible light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If photocatalysts are doped with metal or non-metal ions to improve photocatalytic efficacy, then the photocatalytic efficacy is improved, but the doping procedure is time-consuming and significantly increases the cost of manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses bone powder or shell powder as inexpensive dopants instead of expensive metal or non-metal ions. These natural materials are cost-effective and readily available, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining photocatalytic efficacy for degrading NOx pollutants
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the doping approach from traditional ion doping to using natural powder materials (bone powder or shell powder) with specific weight ratios (0.1:1 to 10:1). This parameter change simplifies the doping procedure and reduces manufacturing time while achieving the desired photocatalytic performance
2Adaptability or versatility
If photocatalysts are designed to be responsive to visible light to address NOx problem, then the applicability to solar spectrum is improved, but the photocatalytic efficacy of such photocatalysts is too low for any practical uses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite photocatalysts by combining transitional metal oxides (TiO2 or ZnO) with bone powder or shell powder. This composite structure enables the material to utilize visible light from the solar spectrum while maintaining sufficient photocatalytic efficacy through the synergistic effect of the components
Solution Approach 2:
The bone powder or shell powder acts as an intermediary that modifies the optical properties of the transitional metal oxide, enabling visible light absorption and activation. This intermediary material bridges the gap between UV-responsive traditional photocatalysts and visible light applications
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional photocatalyst production methods are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the photocatalyst cannot efficiently degrade NOx pollutants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service approach where bone powder or shell powder serves dual purposes: as the dopant material and as the structural framework for the photocatalyst. This eliminates the need for complex multi-step doping procedures while achieving efficient NOx degradation capability
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 method results in a photocatalyst that efficiently degrades NOx, with TiO2@Pb exhibiting the highest efficacy, and the process is economically efficient and scalable.
Implementation Method 1
photocatalysts have been used to address the NOx problem... the photocatalytic efficacy of such photocatalysts is too low for any practical uses... doping the photocatalysts with metal or non-metal ions may improve the photocatalytic efficacy
Implementation Method 2
most of the photocatalysts are only responsive to ultraviolet (UV) light... there are several reports of visible light driven photocatalysts
Implementation Method 3
heating the second mixture of step (b) to produce a dehydrated product
Implementation Method 4
calcinating the dehydrated product of step (c) to produce the photocatalyst
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are methods of producing photocatalysts for degrading NOx. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method comprises mixing a transitional metal or its oxide with a bone powder or a shell powder, followed by heating the mixture for at least 12 hours to dehydrate the mixture, and calcinating the dehydrated product for 1-5 hours. In certain embodiments, the bone powder is mixed with titanium dioxide at the weight ratio of 1:1. In certain embodiments, the shell powder is mixed with titanium dioxide at the weight ratio of 0.5:1 to 2:1 (w/w).