Recent developments in titanium oxide-based photocatalysts Review Article

Recent development in titanium oxide-based photocatalysts was reviewed concerning the development in the highly dispersed titanium oxide photocatalysts prepared on or within zeolites and the visible light-responsive TiO2 photocatalysts. The unique and high reactivities of titanium oxide species anchored or incorporated in the zeolite for various photocatalytic reactions such as reduction of CO2 with H2O and direct decomposition of NOx into N2 and O2 were discussed focusing on the relationship between the reactivity and local structures of the catalysts. Moreover, the preparation of the visible light-responsive TiO2 photocatalysts by applying ion-engineering techniques such as an ion-implantation and an RF magnetron sputtering deposition method was discussed focusing on its unique reactivity for the decomposition of water into H2 and O2 with a separate evolution under sunlight irradiation.