Hybrid photocatalysts for the degradation of trichloroethylene in air

Hybrid photocatalysts based on an adsorbent SiMgOx and a photocatalyst TiO₂ were developed in a plate shape. The ceramic surface was coated with TiO₂ by the slip-casting technique. The effect of the support in the photocatalytic degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) was analyzed by modifying TiO₂ loading and the layer thickness. Photocatalysts were characterised by N₂ adsorption–desorption, mercury intrusion porosimetry, SEM, UV–vis spectroscopy and XRD. A direct relationship between the TiO₂ content and the photocatalytic activity was observed up to three layers of TiO₂ (0.66 wt.%). Our results indicate that intermediate species generated on the TiO₂ layer can migrate through relatively long distances to react with the OH⁻ surface groups of the support. By increasing the TiO₂ loading of the photocatalyst two effects were observed: trichloroethylene conversion is enhanced, while the efficiency of the oxidation process is decreased at expenses of increasing the selectivity to COCl₂ and dichloroacetylchloride (DCAC). The results are discussed in terms of the layer thickness, TiO₂ amount, TCE conversion and CO₂, and COCl₂ selectivity.