Azine-Modified Titanium Dioxide Photocatalyst and Method for Its Preparation

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The invention describes a heptazine-modified titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst that becomes photoactive under visible light rather than just ultraviolet light. This is accomplished by chemically attaching heptazine- or oligo-heptazine derivatives to the surface of TiO2, enabling pollutant degradation using both artificial visible light and diffused daylight in indoor environments. The patent also covers a method for manufacturing these improved photocatalysts via a thermal treatment process.

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• Air purification systems for indoor or outdoor environments to remove pollutants and volatile organic compounds.
• Water treatment and purification, including drinking water disinfection and degradation of harmful contaminants.
• Self-cleaning coatings for building materials, glass, ceramics, metals, plastics, and papers to prevent soiling and buildup of contaminants.
• Antibacterial and antiviral surfaces in hospitals, public transport, homes, and offices for improved hygiene.
• Integration into paints, varnishes, plasters, or films for construction and architectural use, providing anti-fouling or pollution-reducing surfaces.
• Applications in the automotive industry for self-cleaning or pollution-reducing vehicle surfaces.
• Incorporation into HVAC systems to enhance air sterilization and reduce microbial loads.
• Use in concrete and prefabricated building materials for air-purifying or self-cleaning urban infrastructure (e.g., pavements, tiles, wall panels).
• Utilization in photovoltaic cells and solar-driven water-splitting devices for enhanced solar energy conversion.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables photocatalytic activity under visible light, vastly increasing its effectiveness in indoor and low-UV environments compared to conventional TiO2.
• Allows pollutant degradation using natural daylight or artificial visible light, reducing reliance on specialized UV sources.
• Can be easily incorporated onto a wide variety of surfaces including glass, metals, wood, plastics, and building materials.
• Improved air and water purification with higher efficiency for breaking down organic pollutants, bacteria, and viruses.
• Facilitates development of self-cleaning surfaces that require less maintenance and remain hygienic for longer periods.
• Thermal and chemical stability up to 400°C, making it suitable for industrial processes like extrusion in plastics manufacturing.
• Manufacturing process is straightforward and adaptable for large-scale production.
• Can contribute to energy-efficient and sustainable buildings by reducing pollution passively.
• Offers expanded application ranges in both environmental remediation and advanced material design.

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Patent Abstract

The invention is a heptazine modified photocatalyst based on titanium dioxide that is photoactive in the visible range, also referred to as TiO2—(N═C)x below. The new photocatalyst permits pollutant degradation not only with artificial visible light but also with the diffuse daylight in rooms The invention also is a method for manufacturing a heptazine modified titanium dioxide (TiO2—(N═C)x) that is effective as a photocatalyst when irradiated with visible light.