NU 2007-068 and NU 2008-073
Inventors
Kimberly Gray*
Gonghu Li
Richard Lueptow
Yuan Yao
Abstract
Northwestern researchers have developed a novel photocatalytic structure that exhibits increased reactivity compared to other existing photocatalysts. Recent studies have shown that combining titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) may enhance the photoreactivity of pure TiO2. Similarly, this novel technology from Northwestern is a composite of TiO2 and carbon nanotubes; however, a significant difference is that it possesses unique single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) bundles versus previously disclosed MWCNT. The SWCNT bundles function to bridge the surfaces of TiO2 nanoparticles and create interphase connections. As a result, the electron transfer from TiO2 to the SWCNTs is greatly improved and, consequently, provides enhanced photoreactivity. This novel composite exhibits improved reactivity and faster degradation kinetics in phenol oxidation reactions under UV light compared to other commonly used photocatalysts, including different forms of pure TiO2 (S-anatase and L-anatase), Degussa P25 TiO2 and anatase/MWCNTs .
Applications
Advantages
IP Status
Issued US Patent No. 9,078,942.