Photocatalytic material for splitting oxides of carbon

#The present application claims the benefit of Indian Patent Application No. 2645/CHE/2009, filed Oct. 30, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

#Scientists have determined that a number of human activities may be contributing to global warming by adding excessive amounts of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, to the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide traps heat that normally would exit into outer space. While many greenhouse gases occur naturally and are needed to create the greenhouse effect that keeps the Earth warm enough to support life, human use of fossil fuels could be a source of excess greenhouse gases. By driving cars, using electricity from coal-fired power plants, and heating our homes with oil or natural gas, humans release carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Deforestation is another significant source of greenhouse gases, because fewer trees mean less carbon dioxide conversion to oxygen.

#During the 150 years of the industrial age, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has increased by 31 percent. One way to reverse this trend is to introduce a system that can split oxides of carbon into carbon and oxygen. One approach is to use a photocatalyst. However, most photocatalysts work in the UV region and are inefficient or do not absorb visible light.

#FIG. 1 shows an example of a carbon sequestration device having a substrate coated with a sample photocatalytic composite material.

#FIG. 2 shows the SEM image of a sample photocatalytic composite material and XRD EDAX spectrum of the sample.

#FIG. 3 shows the Raman spectrum and FTIR spectrum of the sample photocatalytic composite material.

#The term “catalyst” refers to a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any change.

#The term “photocatalyst” refers a catalyst that helps bring about a light-catalyzed reaction.

#The term “latent thermal catalyst” refers to a catalyst that is latent at a first elevated temperature, but is rapidly activated at a second temperature only slightly elevated over the first temperature.