title: Highly efficient TiO2-based microreactor for photocatalytic applications.
abstract: A photocatalytic, TiO2-based microreactor is designed and fabricated on a metal-titanium foil. The microchannel is mechanically engraved in the substrate foil, and a double-layered TiO2 anatase film is immobilized on its inner walls with a two-step synthesis, which included anodization and a hydrothermal treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirm the presence of an approximately 10-μm-thick layer of titania nanotubes and anatase nanoparticles. The SEM and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the cross sections show a dense interface between the titanium substrate and the TiO2 nanotubes. An additional layer of TiO2-anatase nanoparticles on the top of the film provides a large, photocatalytic surface area. The metal-titanium substrate with a functionalized serpentine channel is sealed with UV-transparent Plexiglas, and four 0.8-mW UV LEDs combined with a power controller on a small printed-circuit board are fixed over the substrate. The photocatalytic activity and the kinetic properties for the degradation of caffeine are provided, and the longer-term stability of the TiO2 film is evaluated. The results show that after 6 months of use and 3600 working cycles the microreactor still exhibits 60% of its initial efficiency.
authors: Department for Nanostructured Materials, Jožef Stefan Institute , Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors: Matic
authors: M
authors: Krivec
authors: Kristina
authors: K
authors: Žagar
authors: Luka
authors: L
authors: Suhadolnik
authors: Miran
authors: M
authors: Čeh
authors: Goran
authors: G
authors: Dražić