Photoelectrochemistry of TiO2 and the Oxidation of NOx

Abstract

In this study TiO2 is used as a photocatalyst for the removal of pollutants via oxidation. The pollutants of interest are nitrogen oxides; the specific gas of use in this study is NO blended with air. This study is an attempt to establish required concentrations of TiO2 to achieve specific oxidation percentages of NOx given a constant flowrate, input NO concentration, humidity, and quantum flux input. A comparison of a pure air atmosphere and a nitrogen atmosphere in the testing chamber are included to provide insight to the role O2 plays in this electrical phenomenon called photocatalysis. A method for producing TiO2 nanoparticles by using Ti electrodes and a resulting thermal plasma is investigated and tested.