PEROVSKITE PHOTOCATALYSTS FOR THE DECOMPOSITION OF ODOR MOLECULES
type: CreativeWork
description: In this work, innovative materials were synthesized and investigated for the decontamination of air matrix. In more detail, this project primarily focuses on the photocatalytic decomposition of propionic acid (PA), an organic molecule responsible for odorous environment. Additionally, the photodecomposition of ethanol was studied as a model molecule of VOCs and one of the transformation products (TPs) of propionic acid photodegradation. The primary goal is to optimize an innovative photocatalyst capable of decomposing these two organic VOC pollutants (PA and ethanol) under LED irradiation, with a focus on indoor environments and in line with the importance of indoor air quality. To broaden the potential applications of the synthesized photocatalysts, they were also tested for the degradation of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), which are one of the main contributors to poor air quality in industrial and urban areas. The investigation began with the benchmark TiO2 due to its wide applications in industry, and a series of micro-sized TiO2-based photocatalysts was synthesized. Given the restrictions of this photocatalyst, such as its wide bandgap energy that mainly makes it active under UV irradiation, surface modification with noble metals was proposed as a strategy to expand its photoactivity under indoor light sources. Nevertheless, noble metals' high prices and resource shortage limit their applications. In fact, many studies aim to find alternatives based on cheaper and more abundant materials. However, to date, noble metals recovery from wastewater from particular manufacturing processes has not been given much credit, although this approach should be considered a valid progressive approach to obtain the precursors of noble metal NPs at a low cost. In this regard, in line with the global perspectives to enhance the efforts towards circular economy processes, this research aimed to synthesize multiple noble metals-modified micrometric TiO2-based photocatalysts through a sust…
abstract: In this work, innovative materials were synthesized and investigated for the decontamination of air matrix. In more detail, this project primarily focuses on the photocatalytic decomposition of propionic acid (PA), an organic molecule responsible for odorous environment. Additionally, the photodecomposition of ethanol was studied as a model molecule of VOCs and one of the transformation products (TPs) of propionic acid photodegradation. The primary goal is to optimize an innovative photocatalyst capable of decomposing these two organic VOC pollutants (PA and ethanol) under LED irradiation, with a focus on indoor environments and in line with the importance of indoor air quality. To broaden the potential applications of the synthesized photocatalysts, they were also tested for the degradation of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), which are one of the main contributors to poor air quality in industrial and urban areas. The investigation began with the benchmark TiO2 due to its wide applications in industry, and a series of micro-sized TiO2-based photocatalysts was synthesized. Given the restrictions of this photocatalyst, such as its wide bandgap energy that mainly makes it active under UV irradiation, surface modification with noble metals was proposed as a strategy to expand its photoactivity under indoor light sources. Nevertheless, noble metals' high prices and resource shortage limit their applications. In fact, many studies aim to find alternatives based on cheaper and more abundant materials. However, to date, noble metals recovery from wastewater from particular manufacturing processes has not been given much credit, although this approach should be considered a valid progressive approach to obtain the precursors of noble metal NPs at a low cost. In this regard, in line with the global perspectives to enhance the efforts towards circular economy processes, this research aimed to synthesize multiple noble metals-modified micrometric TiO2-based photocatalysts through a sust…
author: HAGHSHENAS, NILOOFAR
language: eng
keywords: Photocatalyst, VOCs photodegradation, titanium dioxide, strontium titanate, metal modification., Settore CHEM-04/A - Chimica industriale
date published: 2025-09-29
date modified: 2026-07-27T20:18:56Z
provider: Università degli Studi di Milano
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Università degli Studi di Milano

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.13130/haghshenas-niloofar_phd2025-09-29

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1183936