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Catalysts
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TiO2 Photocatalysts: Design, Optimization and Application
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TiO2 Photocatalysts: Design, Optimization and Application

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Photocatalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 23 May 2025 | Viewed by 4475

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Akira Fujishima

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Research Center for Space System Innovation, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
2. Institute of Photochemistry and Photomaterials, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Rd., Shanghai 200093, China
Interests: photo-functional materials; photocatalysis
Prof. Dr. Xintong Zhang

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
School of Physics, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, China
Interests: photofunctional materials; photocatalysis; photoelectrochemistry; plasma catalysis; quantum dot solar cells
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Tsuyoshi Ochiai

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Kawasaki Technical Support Department, Local Independent Administrative Agency Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (KISTEC), Ground Floor East Wing, Innovation Center Building, KSP, 3-2-1 Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki-shi 213-0012, Japan
Interests: electrochemistry; environmental chemistry; photoelectrochemistry; photocatalysts

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It has been more than half a century since it was discovered that the TiO2 electrode could perform photocatalytic water splitting by one of the editors, Akira Fujishima. Since then, extensive research has been carried out on TiO2 photocatalysts, which have exhibited remarkable potential in various fields, such as environmental remediation, antibacterial and antiviral applications, artificial photosynthesis, and more. TiO2 photocatalysts and their applications continue to advance rapidly, with new discoveries and innovations emerging every day.

We invite you to submit your papers to this Special Issue of Catalysts, which aims to showcase the latest developments and achievements related to TiO2 photocatalysts. We are especially interested in papers that discuss details and challenges regarding the design and optimization processes, as they are crucial for the effective application of TiO2 photocatalysts in various domains.

In addition, we also encourage papers that explore the synergistic effects of TiO2 photocatalysts with other technologies, such as a combination of ozone or other oxidizing agents, photoelectrochemical energy storage and conversion, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, etc. These technologies could enhance the performance and functionality of TiO2 photocatalysts, as well as address the challenges and issues associated with their social implementation. We hope to stimulate not only academic discussions, but also the industrial application of TiO2 photocatalysts.

The submission deadline is December 30, 2024. Please follow the journal's guidelines for authors and submit your manuscripts online. We look forward to receiving your contributions and sharing your insights with the scientific community.

Prof. Dr. Akira Fujishima
Prof. Dr. Xintong Zhang
Dr. Tsuyoshi Ochiai
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • photocatalysts
  • environmental remediation
  • antibacterial and antiviral applications
  • artificial photosynthesis
  • photoelectrochemical energy storage and conversion
  • digital transformation and artificial intelligence

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 6061 KiB  
Article
Modified Resazurin Ink Testing and the Fluorescence Probe Method for Simple and Rapid Photocatalytic Performance Evaluation
by Kengo Hamada, Daichi Minami, Misa Nishino and Tsuyoshi Ochiai
Catalysts 2025, 15(3), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15030288 - 19 Mar 2025
Viewed by 324
Abstract
Evaluating the air purification performance of photocatalytic materials typically requires complex gas decomposition tests involving expensive analytical equipment and lengthy testing periods. In this study, photocatalytic performance evaluation methods involving resazurin (Rz) ink and fluorescence probe techniques were investigated as alternatives to conventional [...] Read more.
Evaluating the air purification performance of photocatalytic materials typically requires complex gas decomposition tests involving expensive analytical equipment and lengthy testing periods. In this study, photocatalytic performance evaluation methods involving resazurin (Rz) ink and fluorescence probe techniques were investigated as alternatives to conventional gas decomposition tests. TiO2 films with varying performance levels were fabricated by controlling TiO2 slurry concentration and the amount of photocatalyst deposited through spin coating. Photocatalytic performances of the synthesised films were then evaluated using the acetaldehyde decomposition method, Rz ink test, and fluorescence probe method for measuring OH radical generation. The acetaldehyde decomposition rate constants showed high correlation with both the Rz colour change rate in modified-pH ink (R2 = 0.91) and the OH radical concentration (R2 = 0.98). Conventional Rz ink testing for high-performance materials showed rapid colour changes, indicating its limited applicability. Our modified-pH Rz ink enabled facile analysis by ensuring controlled reactivity. Both the modified Rz ink method, which enables quantitative evaluation within five minutes even for high-performance materials, and the fluorescence probe method are suitable as reliable screening tools for photocatalytic air purification materials. These simplified evaluation methods will aid in developing more efficient photocatalysts and advancing environmental purification technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue TiO2 Photocatalysts: Design, Optimization and Application)
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14 pages, 6301 KiB  
Article
Photocatalytic Cement Mortar with Durable Self-Cleaning Performance
by Zhuoying Jiang, Bin Zhang and Xiong Yu
Catalysts 2025, 15(3), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15030249 - 6 Mar 2025
Viewed by 479
Abstract
Nano-TiO2-modified mortars are fabricated by introducing TiO2 nanoparticles to the conventional mortar mix with designed mixing and curing procedures. It was found that additional TiO2 nanoparticles can accelerate hydration and improve the air void distribution in the mortar matrix. [...] Read more.
Nano-TiO2-modified mortars are fabricated by introducing TiO2 nanoparticles to the conventional mortar mix with designed mixing and curing procedures. It was found that additional TiO2 nanoparticles can accelerate hydration and improve the air void distribution in the mortar matrix. The experiments also showed that 0.5 wt.% and 1 wt.% TiO2-modified mortar has a comparable mechanical strength to traditional cement mortar. The abrasion resistance is improved with nanoparticles at 0.5 wt.% TiO2 concentration. The photocatalytic performance of photocatalytic mortar was confirmed by a methylene blue decomposition test. Finally, a multi-physics computational model was constructed to assess the effects of photocatalytic mortar coated on building in air quality improvements in the neighboring area. The benefits are affected by different nano-TiO2 concentrations, as well as wind conditions in the neighborhood. Overall, this study shows that properly designed nano-TiO2-modified mortar is promising to achieve multifunctional performance in terms of mechanical strength and durability as well as autogenous self-cleaning of surrounding environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue TiO2 Photocatalysts: Design, Optimization and Application)
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18 pages, 3305 KiB  
Article
Controllable Synthesis of Ultrafine Ag NPs/Functionalized Graphene-Introduced TiO2 Mesoporous Hollow Nanofibers by Coaxial Electrospinning for Photocatalytic Oxidation of CO
by Tianwei Dou, Yangyang Zhu, Zhanyu Chu, Zhijun Li, Lei Sun and Liqiang Jing
Catalysts 2025, 15(3), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15030231 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 476
Abstract
Solar-driven catalytic oxidation processes for the removal of toxic gaseous pollutants have attracted considerable scientific attention, and there is a strong desire to improve the mass transfer, photogenerated charge separation, and O2 activation by regulating the structure of the photocatalyst. Initially, functionalized [...] Read more.
Solar-driven catalytic oxidation processes for the removal of toxic gaseous pollutants have attracted considerable scientific attention, and there is a strong desire to improve the mass transfer, photogenerated charge separation, and O2 activation by regulating the structure of the photocatalyst. Initially, functionalized graphene–TiO2 mesoporous hollow nanofibers have been controllably fabricated by a coaxial electrospinning technique, in which functionalized graphene is controllably prepared through a sequential diazonium functionalization and silane modification and ensures its uniform distribution among TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Subsequently, the ultrafine Ag NPs are primarily anchored onto the surface of graphene by an in situ frozen photodeposition strategy, producing Ag/functionalized graphene–TiO2 mesoporous hollow nanofibers (Ag/SiG-TO MPHNFs). The optimal Ag/SiG-TO MPHNFs exhibit 3.9-fold and 4.6-fold enhancements in CO photooxidation compared with TO MPHNFs and P25 TiO2, respectively. The enhanced photoactivity can be attributed to three factors: the creation of the mesoporous hollow structure accelerates mass transfer, the incorporation of graphene facilitates the transfer of photogenerated electrons from TiO2 to graphene, and the anchoring of Ag NPs improves O2 activation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue TiO2 Photocatalysts: Design, Optimization and Application)
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18 pages, 6905 KiB  
Article
Comparative Evaluation of Photocatalytic Efficiency Measurement Techniques Through Rhodamine B Degradation in TiO2-Based Cementitious Materials
by Fabíula Pereira Lessa, Orlando Lima, Jr., Élida Margalho, Behzad Zahabizadeh, Vítor M. C. F. Cunha, Eduardo Pereira, Aires Camões, Manuel F. M. Costa, Iran Rocha Segundo and Joaquim Carneiro
Catalysts 2025, 15(3), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15030201 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 445
Abstract
Self-cleaning cementitious materials, particularly with TiO2-based photocatalytic coatings, offer significant benefits by reducing surface deterioration and maintenance requirements, even in harsh urban environments. Despite the growing interest in self-cleaning cementitious materials, an international standard test method to calculate their efficiency has [...] Read more.
Self-cleaning cementitious materials, particularly with TiO2-based photocatalytic coatings, offer significant benefits by reducing surface deterioration and maintenance requirements, even in harsh urban environments. Despite the growing interest in self-cleaning cementitious materials, an international standard test method to calculate their efficiency has not yet been established for this specific type of substrate. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare three different techniques for assessing the photocatalytic efficiency (PE) of cementitious materials coated with TiO2: (i) spectrophotometric colorimetry (SPC); (ii) digital image processing-based colorimetry (DIP); and (iii) UV-Vis spectrophotometry (UV-Vis). Rhodamine B (RhB) was used as a model pollutant, and the photocatalytic efficiency was monitored under UV-Vis light. The results showed that each method has distinct advantages and specific challenges. SPC proved to be a practical and efficient approach, similarly to DIP, which was also accessible, providing reliable and accurate measurements. UV-Vis stood out for its precision but required careful application on cement-based substrates due to their unique porosity and adsorption characteristics. These results underscore the complementary potential of these techniques and highlight the importance of developing standardized protocols that integrate their strengths to facilitate the wider adoption of self-cleaning materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue TiO2 Photocatalysts: Design, Optimization and Application)
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20 pages, 6311 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Vacuum Annealing on the Structural, Electric, and Optical Properties, and Photocatalytic Activities of Sputtered TiO2 and Nb-Doped TiO2 Films
by Mengna Li, Yingying Fang and Baoshun Liu
Catalysts 2025, 15(2), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15020166 - 11 Feb 2025
Viewed by 531
Abstract
TiO2 is still a prototype material in photocatalytic studies. The defects, including the intrinsic and foreign defects, are reported to be important in determining the TiO2 photocatalytic properties. In the current research, amorphous TiO2- and Nb-doped TiO2 (NTO) [...] Read more.
TiO2 is still a prototype material in photocatalytic studies. The defects, including the intrinsic and foreign defects, are reported to be important in determining the TiO2 photocatalytic properties. In the current research, amorphous TiO2- and Nb-doped TiO2 (NTO) films were firstly prepared through magnetron sputtering, which were then heated under vacuum. The as-deposited TiO2 and NTO films were amorphous, and transferred to anatase after heating. The vacuum heating at a higher temperature caused an obvious reduction in TiO2 films, and the NTO film was more prone to be reduced as Nb dopants decreased the thermal stability of the TiO2 lattice. The structure change induced by vacuum annealing had a great effect on electric and optical properties. The conductivity of the NTO films was 10,000 times and 100 times higher than that of the undoped TiO2 films after post-vacuum heating at 450 °C and 650 °C, respectively. In addition to an increase in the band tail absorption, the NTO films presented strong free-electron absorption after vacuum heating; this means that the NTO films presented a clear Bornstein moss shift after vacuum heating because of the high conduction electron density. The change in the photoinduced absorption spectra revealed a possible result that photo-induced electrons can be also trapped at Nb sites, indicating that the Nb-related defect forms deep gap states; this greatly limits the photo-induced electron interfacial transfer. The results showed that the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue decreased after vacuum heating. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue TiO2 Photocatalysts: Design, Optimization and Application)
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15 pages, 2440 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Effects of Photocatalysis, Ozone Treatment, and Metal Catalysts on the Decomposition of Acetaldehyde
by Tsuyoshi Ochiai, Kengo Hamada and Michifumi Okui
Catalysts 2025, 15(2), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15020141 - 3 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1275
Abstract
This study explores the synergistic interactions between photocatalysis, ozone treatment, and metal catalysts in the decomposition of acetaldehyde, a representative volatile organic compound (VOC). The study addresses the growing need for efficient air purification technologies by integrating advanced oxidation processes. Metal catalysts, particularly [...] Read more.
This study explores the synergistic interactions between photocatalysis, ozone treatment, and metal catalysts in the decomposition of acetaldehyde, a representative volatile organic compound (VOC). The study addresses the growing need for efficient air purification technologies by integrating advanced oxidation processes. Metal catalysts, particularly manganese oxide-based materials, were combined with photocatalysis and ozonation to investigate their impact on acetaldehyde removal efficiency. Experimental results revealed that the treatment integrating these methods significantly outperformed conventional single-process treatments. Metal catalysts facilitated the initial oxidation of acetaldehyde, while photocatalysis accelerated subsequent stages, including the mineralisation of intermediates. Ozone contributed additional reactive oxidative species, further enhancing decomposition rates. These findings provide valuable insights into the design of efficient VOC removal systems, demonstrating that integrating metal catalysts with photocatalytic and ozonation processes offers a promising strategy for improving air purification technologies. This approach has potential applications in environmental remediation and indoor air quality management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue TiO2 Photocatalysts: Design, Optimization and Application)
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