Photocatalytic abatement of NOx by C-TiO2/polymer composite coatings obtained by low pressure cold gas spraying

Abstract

In the present work, we study the photocatalytic activity of carbon-modified TiO2 (C-TiO2)/polymer composite coatings obtained by low pressure cold gas spraying (LP-CGS). To produce the novel coatings, C-TiO2 was mixed with a ductile material, the polymer ECTFE, by means of a low energy ball milling (LEBM) process. The LEBM system permits the mechanical anchoring of small TiO2 aggregates around the large ductile polymeric particles. A well-bonded coating with good mechanical coupling was formed between the ball-milled mixture and the substrate. Photocatalytic tests showed that the LP-CGS nano-TiO2 coatings actively photodegraded NO and the by-product, NO2. Compared to commercial paint, the as-prepared coatings presented here enhanced photocatalytic performance.