TY - JOUR

T1 - Ag-SiO2-TiO2 nanocomposite coatings with enhanced photoactivity for self-cleaning application on building materials

AU - Pinho, L.

AU - Rojas, M.

AU - Mosquera, M.J.

PY - 2015/11/1

Y1 - 2015/11/1

N2 - The synthesis of improved photocatalysts capable of removing pollutants deposited on building surfaces is an important challenge for researchers nowadays. By using a simple and low-cost process we have synthesized mesoporous Ag–TiO2–SiO2 photocatalytic coatings that meet the requirements of outdoor application. These are new materials designed to give to the building material improved self-cleaning properties.We have varied the loading of TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles in order to investigate their effect on the photocatalytic activity of our nanocomposites. We find that the integration of higher Ag loadings in a TiO2–SiO2 network (10% w/w) significantly increase the photoactivity of the coating containing 1% (w/v) TiO2 due to the improved absorption of visible light and higher surface area of the photocatalyst. For higher TiO2 contents (4%) there is an increase in photoactivity for 1% (w/v) Ag loading. Higher amounts of Ag loadings (5% w/w) generate an undesired color change on stone or inhibit the sol–gel transition of the coatings (10% w/w).

AB - The synthesis of improved photocatalysts capable of removing pollutants deposited on building surfaces is an important challenge for researchers nowadays. By using a simple and low-cost process we have synthesized mesoporous Ag–TiO2–SiO2 photocatalytic coatings that meet the requirements of outdoor application. These are new materials designed to give to the building material improved self-cleaning properties.We have varied the loading of TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles in order to investigate their effect on the photocatalytic activity of our nanocomposites. We find that the integration of higher Ag loadings in a TiO2–SiO2 network (10% w/w) significantly increase the photoactivity of the coating containing 1% (w/v) TiO2 due to the improved absorption of visible light and higher surface area of the photocatalyst. For higher TiO2 contents (4%) there is an increase in photoactivity for 1% (w/v) Ag loading. Higher amounts of Ag loadings (5% w/w) generate an undesired color change on stone or inhibit the sol–gel transition of the coatings (10% w/w).

KW - Photocatalysis

KW - Mesoporous Ag-SiO2-TiO2 photocatalyst

KW - Ag nanoparticles

KW - Surface plasmon resonance

KW - Self-cleaning

U2 - 10.1016/j.apcatb.2014.10.002

DO - 10.1016/j.apcatb.2014.10.002

M3 - Journal article

VL - 178

SP - 144

EP - 154

JO - Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

JF - Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

SN - 0926-3373

ER -