Recent advances in heterogeneous TiO2 photocatalysis

Current progress in the area of photocatalysis is presented, particularly regarding technological applications. Highly efficient TiO2 films on different substrates such as tile and glass have been developed for indoor environmental clean-up. TiO2 films coated on SiO2-precoated soda lime glass showed about 80% transparency and high photocatalytic activity towards the decomposition of thin oil films. A novel phenomenon, superhydrophilicity, has been observed on these transparent TiO2 coatings. In addition, we have made use of a microelectrode system to monitor oxidation and reduction products separately. The mechanistic and kinetic aspects of TiO2 photocatalysis are discussed.