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Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a commonly used catalyst in various chemical reactions. Catalysts are substances used to speed up a reaction without being consumed in the process, meaning they can be used repeatedly.
Titanium dioxide is particularly effective in photocatalysis, which involves the acceleration of a photoreaction in the presence of a catalyst. Under UV light, TiO2 can absorb photons, exciting electrons in the process and leading to the formation of electron-hole pairs. This facilitated redox reaction can be manipulated to clean up harmful compounds or generate useful substances.
Common applications of TiO2 as a catalyst include:
1. Photocatalytic water splitting: This is the process of using sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, a potential eco-friendly solution for hydrogen fuel production.
2. Degradation of pollutants: The rate of degradation of many organic pollutants can be greatly increased by exposure to UV light in the presence of a TiO2 catalyst. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 can break down pollutants into less harmful substances.
3. Self-cleaning materials: Coatings of TiO2 on outdoor building materials can oxidize organic substances such as dirt and pollution, allowing them to be washed away, essentially having a self-cleaning effect.
4. Solar cells: Titanium dioxide can be used in dye-sensitized solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity.
To conclude, titanium dioxide catalyst enhances the speed of chemical reactions without being consumed by them, making it very efficient in various applications, particularly those involving photochemical reactions.
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