Photocatalytic and Self-Cleaning Properties of Ag-Doped TiO2

Commercially available TiO2 of anatase structure produced in the Chemical Factory Police S.A. was modified by doping Ag from AgNO3 solution via photodeposition method. The obtained amount of deposited Ag on TiO2 was in the range of 0.11 to 0.98 mass %. Deposition of Ag on TiO2 resulted in the retarding of the recombination reaction and formation of the higher amount of OH radicals on the photocatalyst surface during irradiation with UV light. The photocatalytic activity of samples was tested for the decomposition of phenol and Reactive Black in the water solution under both, UV and artificial solar light radiation. Deposition of Ag on TiO2 surface increased its photocatalytic activity towards the Reactive Black decomposition but not for phenol. High adsorption of Reactive Black on Ag modified TiO2 photocatalysts, which was higher than on TiO2, could enhance the photocatalytic activity of these samples. The solution with 1% slurry of TiO2-Ag was sprayed on the surface of concrete. For concrete impregnated with TiO2-Ag slurry the both, fungicidal and self-cleaning effect for dyes were observed.