Application of concept of relative photonic efficiencies and surface characterization of a new titania photocatalyst designed for environmental remediation

The relative photonic efficiency zeta(r) for the TiO2 photocatalyzed transformation and mineralization of phenol (standard process and product) has been determined for a new industrially available TiO2 specimen. Under otherwise identical conditions of catalyst loading, pH, phenol concentration and temperature (ambient) the Hombikat UV-100 specimen was approximately four times less efficient than the Degussa P-25 analog (standard photocatalyst). The new titania material was also characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms at liquid nitrogen temperature. The sample is porous with mesopores of about 5.6 nm (diameter) and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area is 189 m(2) g(-1). X-ray powder patterns confirm the anatase structure of the UV-100 sample.