PHOTOCATALYTIC PERFORMANCE OF PLASMA SPRAYED TiO2-ZnFe2O4 COATINGS

A novel TiO2-ZnFe2O4 coating is prepared by plasma spraying. The effects of spra ying parameters and the composition of powders on the microstructure, surface mo rphology and photo-absorption of plasma sprayed coatings are studied. The photoc atalytic efficiency of the as-sprayed coatings is evaluated through the photo mi neralization of methylene blue. It was found that TiO2 coatings can decompose me thylene blue under the illumination of ultraviolet rays, and the degrading effic iency is improved with an increase in the content of FeTiO3 in the coatings. How ever, the presence of large amount of ZnFe2O4 compound will substantially lower the photocatalytic efficiency of the TiO2-ZnFe2O4 coatings for the unfavorable p hoto-excited electron-hole transfer process.