Ceramic Photocatalysts Clean Oil Spills

1. Ceramic Photocatalysts Clean Oil Spills Perena Gouma, SUNY at Stony Brook, DMR 1046599 Outcome: Researchers at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, have synthesized a novel photocatalyst that responds to visible light and has high efficiency in hydrocarbon decomposition using a combination of blend electrospinning and thermal oxidation processes. Impact:Nanogrids of these photocatalysts -i.e. miniaturized “fishing nets” that float on water- rapidly decompose crude oil and other contaminants using solar irradiation, and fast and at low cost turn them into water, carbon dioxide, and biodegradable organics. These nanogrids may clean oil spills effectively, whether these are near the seashore or in the middle of the ocean; at a refinery, or at a water cleaning facility. Explanation: While tungsten trioxide (WO3) responds to visible light, it has low efficiency in breaking down oil. The tailored nanoscale ceramic synthesis method used has enabled the effective doping of tungsten trioxide nanoparticles with a low cost co-catalyst of the same particle size in a 1:1 configuration, thus producing a novel photocatalyst with superior catalytic efficiency and fast response. Novel CuO/WO3 -nanogrids respond to the whole solar spectrum and are more efficient photocatalysts than titaniaDegussa P25, when used for the decomposition of benzene Recent Publication: J. Lee and P.I. Gouma, “Sol-Gel Processed Oxide Photocatalysts”. In Sol-Gel Processing for Conventional and Alternative Energy, Aparicio, M.; Jitianu, A.; Klein, L., Eds.; Springer: New York, in-print. Webpage:https://web.stonybrook.edu/cnsd/formservertemplates/pro2.html Outreach Event Maritime Explorium, NY