RIMI: Fundamental Studies of TiO2 Photocatalysts for the Treatment of Hazardous Waste

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9353208 Datye The research will fundamentally investigate the reactive mechanisms of titanium dioxide-based photocatalysis for treating hazardous waste. For instance, this technology is presently being evaluated for treatment of contaminated groundwater, chemical waste streams, indoor air purification and for detoxification of contaminants in drinking water. The process uses titanium dioxide powder as the photocatalyst which when exposed to ultraviolet light, has the capacity to oxidize organics while reducing dissolved metals like Cr(VI), Hg(II) and Ag(I). Organics are converted to CO2, H2O, and other inorganic products. The metals, in general, are immobilized onto the photocatalyst as metallic crystallites. Prior to commercialization of photocatylsis, a need exists to develop a fundamental understanding of catalyst deactivation so that suitablestrategies for improving lifetime and regeneration. The goal of the proposed research is to use established catalyst characterization techniques and ceramic synthesis routes to improve the performance of TiO2 photocatalysts. ***