Titanium Oxide Aerogel Photocatalyst Surface Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current titanium oxide photocatalysts have limitations in visible light responsivity and photocatalytic efficiency due to insufficient surface area and oxidation degree of hydrocarbon groups on their surfaces, leading to poor dispersibility and photocatalytic performance.
Innovation Solution
Development of titanium oxide aerogel particles with a specific BET surface area of 120 m2/g to 1,000 m2/g and an XPS peak intensity ratio of C—O and C═O bonds to C—C and C═C bonds in the range of 0.03 to 0.3, achieved through sol-gel processing and surface treatment with organometallic compounds, enhancing visible light absorption and photocatalytic function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If titanium oxide photocatalysts are used with conventional surface area, then manufacturing is simpler, but visible light responsivity and photocatalytic efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs aerogel particles with porous structures achieving BET specific surface areas of 120 m²/g to 1,000 m²/g. The porous architecture provides extensive surface area for photocatalytic reactions while maintaining visible light absorption capabilities through controlled pore formation during aerogel synthesis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies surface chemical composition by controlling the oxidation degree of hydrocarbon groups through sol-gel processing and surface treatment with metal compounds. The oxidation degree is optimized to satisfy {(peak intensity of C—O bond+peak intensity of C═O bond)/(peak intensity of C—C bond+peak intensity of C═C bond)}=0.03 to 0.3 in C 1s XPS spectrum, enhancing visible light responsivity.
2Reliability
If titanium oxide particles are treated to increase surface area, then photocatalytic efficiency improves, but dispersibility in coatings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies surface treatment locally to the aerogel particle surfaces, bonding metal compounds containing hydrocarbon groups specifically to surface sites. This localized modification provides dispersibility enhancement without altering the bulk porous structure that enables high surface area and photocatalytic efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite structures combining aerogel particles with surface-bonded metal compounds containing hydrocarbon groups. This composite approach integrates the high surface area benefits of aerogels with the dispersibility advantages of organic surface modifiers, achieving both photocatalytic efficiency and coating processability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the oxidation degree of hydrocarbon groups on the surface is increased, then visible light absorption improves, but photocatalytic function deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the oxidation degree of surface hydrocarbon groups by adjusting sol-gel processing conditions and surface treatment parameters. The oxidation degree is optimized to satisfy {(peak intensity of C—O bond+peak intensity of C═O bond)/(peak intensity of C—C bond+peak intensity of C═C bond)}=0.03 to 0.3, achieving optimal balance between visible light absorption and photocatalytic function.
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 titanium oxide aerogel particles exhibit improved visible light responsivity and photocatalytic activity, with enhanced dispersibility and prolonged photocatalytic function in coatings, effectively degrading substances and improving gas adsorptivity and degradability.
Implementation Method 1
has absorption at wavelengths of 450 nm and 750 nm in a visible absorption spectrum
Implementation Method 2
a surface to which a metal compound containing a metal atom and a hydrocarbon group is bonded via an oxygen atom
Data Source
AI summary
A titanium oxide aerogel particle has absorption at wavelengths of 450 nm and 750 nm in a visible absorption spectrum, a surface to which a metal compound containing a metal atom and a hydrocarbon group is bonded via an oxygen atom, a BET specific surface area in a range of 120 m2/g to 1,000 m2/g, and a value A is in the range of 0.03 to 0.3. The value A is calculated by formula: A={(peak intensity of C—O bond+peak intensity of C═O bond)/(peak intensity of C—C bond+peak intensity of C═C bond)}. In the formula, the peak intensity is a value determined from a C 1s XPS spectrum.