List of innovations

Visible-light photoactive materials

Chemical processes
Chemistry
Electricity
Energy / Utilities
Technology using titanium dioxide properties upon visible light irradiation: self-cleaning, antiseptic, fungicidal, disinfecting and odour-neutralizing.

Benefits

  • Active under visible light
  • Non toxic towards natural environment or human body
  • Phototoxic towards microorganisms
  • Suitable for organic pollutants degradation
  • Easily applied for various surfaces
  • Stable in a wide range of ph, especially in the neutral conditions (ph=7)

Issue

Titanium dioxide based materials are commonly known as photocatalysts of environmental and biomedical relevance. Photoactive titanium oxide(IV) shows antiseptic, fungicidal, disinfecting and odour-neutralizing properties but the photocatalytic activity of titanium(IV) oxide occurs only in the range of UV radiation, excluding common indoor applications. Another disadvantage in the commercial use of such materials is the difficulty in obtaining a stable coating of titanium oxide(IV) on various surfaces, especially on polymer and their sensitization to the visible light.

Solution

We developed new materials based on modified nanocrystalline titanium dioxide that can be applied for an efficient photocatalytic microorganisms inactivation or organic pollutants degradation under visible light irradiation. This high photocatalytic activity in the visible light range allows new indoor applications or improves efficiency of existing outdoor uses. Our technology can be applied to: - food packagings (longer shelf life), - paints and coatings (self-cleaning or odour-neutralizing), - water treatment (removing organic pollutants and detoxification), - air purifiers (bathroom, fridge, car interior...), - medical devices (self-cleaning or destruction of other cells and tissues), - laboratories (surface cleaner), ... Materials based on our modified nanocrystalline titanium dioxide can also be applied as: - self-cleaning layers, particularly suitable for transparent surfaces, - disinfection and sterilization agents, particularly suitable for surgical instruments and other glass or plastic components used in medical applications, - cleaning solutions for contact lenses.

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