Photocatalytic Decomposition of Acetaldehyde with Anatase Nanocrystals-Dispersed Silica Films Prepared by the Sol-Gel Process with Hot Water Treatment

Anatase nanocrystals of 5 to 10 nm in diameter were formed in the silica-titania films by treatment with hot water. The formation of nanocrystals with hot water treatment was a unique phenomenon to the silica-titania system and the addition of organic polymers such as PEG was indispensable for the high dispersion of anatase nanocrystals in the films. The hydrolysis of Si—O—Ti bonds with hot water was considered to play an important role for the formation of anatase nanocrystals. The resultant films were transparent even after the formation of anatase nanocrystals. Acetaldehyde was photocatalytically decomposed into CO₂ on the films which were subjected to a hot water treatment. The amounts of generated CO₂ were twice of that of introduced acetaldehyde, indicating that the total acetaldehyde was completely decomposed to CO₂. Anatase nanocrystals-dispersed films can be formed on various kinds of substrates including those with poor heat resistance such as organic polymers and organisms by this process, so that the substrates coated with the films are expected to be widely used for photocatalytic applications.