Photocatalytic oxidation of gas-phase elemental mercury by nanotitanosilicate fibers

Photocatalytic fibers were generated from the continuous evaporation of titanium tetraisopropoxide with tetraethyl orthosilicate through a flame burner. The morphology, the crystal form, and the components of the nanotitanosilicate fibers were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, Field emission-scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis. The nanotitanosilicates prepared by three different carrier gases (air, N₂, and Ar) were tested for their photocatalytic ability to remove/oxidize gas-phase elemental mercury. Under UV black light, the Hg⁰ capture efficiencies were 78%, 86%, and 85% for air, N₂, and Ar, respectively. For air, the value was close to 90%, even under household fluorescent light. The Hg⁰ capture efficiency by nanotitanosilcate was measured under fluorescent light, UV black light, and sunlight.