Mesoporous layers of TiO2 as highly efficient photocatalysts for the purification of air

Mesoporous films of TiO2 prepared by a template-assisted procedure based on the evaporation-induced self-assembly mechanism were shown to be efficient photocatalysts for the oxidation of nitrogen oxide. Their high photocatalytic activity is explained by a local increase in the partial pressure of NO in the nanopores of the porous film close to the photocatalytic active sites. Owing to the strong adsorption of the intermediate products, a high selectivity towards nitric acid is achieved. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.