Method and apparatus for producing a photocatalytic material

An apparatus for producing a functional material having photocatalytic activity, said apparatus comprising

• at least a rapid heating means for rapidly heating the surface of a substrate coated with a photocatalyst coating composition comprising a photocatalytic metal oxide and/or a precursor of the photocatalytic metal oxide to fix the photocatalytic metal oxide onto the surface of the substrate, characterized in that:
• the rapid heating means comprises at least:
• a heating element of which the heating value per unit area is not less than 120 MJ/m2hr and which is provided so that the distance between the heating element and the surface of the substrate is 5 to 300 mm with the distance being fixed or variable;
• a heat-resistant material which covers the heating element while forming a given heating space;
• a holding means for holding the substrate within the heating space for 2 to 60 seconds;
• a carry-in port for carrying the substrate into the heating space;
• and
• a carry-out port for carrying out the substrate from the heating space.