Nanostructured active media for VOCs abatement: the synergy of graphene oxide and semiconductors coupling.

Among the semiconductor-mediated photo-processes, the gas-phase photo-catalytic decomposition of volatile organic compounds represents one of the most valid and feasible option to improve air quality. The present work is meant to show the preparation, characterization and testing of photo-catalytic systems for enhancing the performance of TiO2 based nanostructured membranes, namely coupling of semiconductors and addition of co-catalysts. In particular, the use of an additional semiconductor (Ag2CO3) as well as the coupling of graphene oxide have been found to be promising for this purpose. All the photocatalytic media have been tested in a specifically designed photo-reactor with respect to the abatement of acetaldehyde and methanol in gas phase; the obtained results showed a complete degradation of 1600 ppm of acetaldehyde and 600 ppm of methanol in less than 15 and 40 minutes, respectively. The morphology of the nanostructured membranes and the affinity of the catalytic system with the polymeric matrix ...