Photocatalytic Conversion of Organic Pollutants in Air: Quantum Yields Using a Silver/Nitrogen/TiO2 Mesoporous Semiconductor under Visible Light

Abstract

This research studies the photocatalytic conversion of methanol (25–90 µmol/L range) as a volatile organic compound (VOC) surrogate into CO2, using a N/Ag/TiO2 photocatalyst under visible light irradiation in a Photo-CREC Air unit. The N/Ag/TiO2 mesh supported photocatalyst is prepared via the solvothermal method. While the bare-TiO2 is inactive under visible light, the N/Ag/TiO2 2 wt.% loaded stainless-steel woven mesh displays 35% quantum yields, with 80% absorbed photons and 60% methanol conversion in a 110 min irradiation period. Results obtained are assigned to silver surface plasmon resonance, silver and nitrogen species synergistic impacts on band gap, and their influence on particle agglomerate size and semiconductor acidity. The determined quantum yields under visible light in a Photo-CREC Air unit, are the highest reported in the technical literature, that these authors are aware of, with this opening unique opportunity for the use of visible light for the purification of air from VOC contaminants.