Monolithic composite photocatalysts

A fluid purification system, the system comprising;

• a plurality of titania or titania-based photoactive nanocrystals disposed on a non-photoactive porous support, together forming a monolithic composite photocatalyst, wherein a plurality of the monolithic composite photocatalysts are further disposed on a scaffold, and further wherein greater than 10% of the total volume of each monolithic composite photocatalyst is freely accessible to the fluid.

A fluid purification system comprising;

• a monolithic composite photocatalyst disposed on a microfibrous media, wherein the microfibrous media is comprised of acrylic, silicone, or UV-A transparent glass and an illumination source for the fluid purification system includes the wavelength range 365-385 nm, thereby causing photocatalysis in the monolithic composite photocatalyst.

A fluid purification system wherein a plurality of monolithic composite photocatalysts are disposed between a first and second scaffold and are thus retained therebetween.

A monolithic composite photocatalyst, comprising titania-based mixed-metal oxide photoactive nanocrystals selected from the group consisting of titania with silica, zirconia, tin oxide, vanadium oxide, or tungsten oxide disposed on a non-photoactive porous support,

A monolithic composite photocatalyst modified with <4 wt % Pt, Pd, Au, Ir, or Rh as homometallic, bimetallic, or trimetallic species where any of these species are proximate to the photoactive nanoparticles disposed on the non-photoactive regions of the monolithic composite photocatalyst.

A photocatalytic surface system that incorporates a UV-A or visible light activated monolithic composite photocatalyst in a polymeric matrix, where the surface of the monolithic composite photocatalyst is comprised of a non-photocatalytic material of more than 10 areal % of the surface area in contact with the polymer matrix and the polymer matrix is polyester.