Photocatalytic compositions, containing graphene, able to reduce atmospheric pollution
| Patent title | Compositions with increased photocatalytic activity |
|---|---|
| Thematic area | Bioeconomy, Agriculture and Environment |
| Ownership | TECHNION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LTD, ITALCEMENTI FABBRICHE RIUNITE CEMENTO - SOCIETA' PER AZIONI - BERGAMO IN FORMA ABBREVIATA ITALCEMENTI S.P.A., ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA' DI BOLOGNA |
| Inventors | Andrea Cacciatore, Giampiero De Notarpietro, Marco Goisis, Marcello Molfetta, IRYNA POLISHCHUK , Claudia Capone, BOAZ POKROY, Matteo Calvaresi, Gloria Guidetti, Marco Montalti, Francesco Zerbetto, Giuseppe Falini |
| Protection | Europe |
| Licensing status | Available for development agreements, option, license and other exploitation agreements |
| Keywords | Graphene, Photocatalysis, Cement |
| Filed on | 08 March 2016 |
Application of TiO2-based photocatalysts to cementitious materials is the subject of many researches in the last two decades. The application of TiO2-based photocatalysts to cementitious materials is mainly aimed at achieving two goals, the depolluting action due to the oxidation of NOx present in the atmosphere to NO3- and the self-cleaning effect of the photocatalytic cement surface. As regard to depollution, NOx emission reduction is a focus of environmental regulations. In Europe, the values are specified in the European Union (EU) directives (e.g., 2008/50/EC).
The invention relates to photocatalytic compositions comprising a photocatalyst and a graphene material. These compositions can be used as substrates (paint, plaster, cementitious composition, gypsum, hydraulic binder, etc.) particularly for reducing pollution in air or water. The preparation of the photocatalyst is a process not requiring high-temperature heating or addition of toxic surfactants. Studies shows up to 40% enhancement in photodegradation, and the catalyst is 50-70% more efficient in reducing NOx than current photocatalysts. It maintains its photodegradation activity over time.
- Efficient photocatalytic action
- Scalable
- Low cost starting reagents
- Small quantities of graphene required
- Reduced costs
- No release of toxic substances
- Surface cleaning
- Reduction of pollutants