Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2009MO99B

Visible Light-activated Titanium Dioxide-based Photocatalysts: Synthesis and Potential Environmental Applications

Institute: Missouri
Year Established: 2009 Start Date: 2009-03-01 End Date: 2011-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $44,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $91,550

Principal Investigators: Baolin Deng, Baolin Deng

Abstract: Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely used as a photocatalyst for the advanced oxidation treatment of organic contaminants and disinfection when coupled with ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Much efforts has recently focused on modifying TiO2 so it can be activated with visible light (VIS), which could result in much broader environmental applications. TiO2 doped with elements such as carbon and nitrogen (N) are found to exhibit photocatalytic effects in VIS region. The efficiency of these modified photocatalysts, however, is still low. The objective of this proposed study is to synthesize and characterize the N-doped TiO2 nanomaterials capable of significant visible light absorption and evaluate their photocatalytic reactivity under visible light radiation for the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. Our long-term goal is to prepare solid thin-film and nano-structured photocatalysts with a superior quantum yield and explore their environmental applications such as degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons, disinfection of treated municipal wastewater prior to final discharge to rivers and lakes, and destruction of indoor air pollutants. The techniques developed in the project will help the State of Missouri and the Nation to better treat various waste streams with less cost and enhance public health. The outcomes will be documented by peer-reviewed publications that contribute to the knowledge base of the scientific and engineering communities in the field of visible light photocatalysis. The project will help train students for research and develop their critical thinking skills. Also this project represents a new but promising research direction for the PI; the result from this project will greatly enhance PIs ability to attract external funding in this focus area for further research and development.