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The title is a little misleading. Titanium dioxide has been known since 1967 [1] to act as a catalyst for oxidizing a wide range of compounds, including nitroge

The title is a little misleading. Titanium dioxide has been known since 1967 [1] to act as a catalyst for oxidizing a wide range of compounds, including nitrogen oxide (i.e. smog). Since at least 2002 it has been known to significantly decrease smog when applied to road surfaces [2][3]. The contribution here is another study (behind a paywall [4]) providing evidence for TiO2's efficacy at reducing smog. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium_dioxide#Photocatalyst http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium_dioxide#Photocatalyst [2] http://www.italcementigroup.com/NR/rdonlyres/1F30E487-C0A2-4D6F-AB6D-C14555FD866F/0/Scientificresults.pdf http://www.italcementigroup.com/NR/rdonlyres/1F30E487-C0A2-4... [3] http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1852747_1854195_1854176,00.html http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1... [4] http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389413001210 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389413...

haldujai 13y ago
This paper is about carbon doped TiO2, its synthesis was patented in 2005 and is much more effective than regular TiO2.
- salmonellaeater 13y ago
  carbon doped TiO2 Can you provide a reference? Did I link to the wrong paper? That's an important detail and it's not in the article. much more effective than regular TiO2 How much more effective? The study done by Italcementi in 2002-2003 (admittedly not very trustworthy since it's done by the company that makes the product) has numbers comparable to the Eindhoven study.
  - haldujai 13y ago
    Can you provide a reference? Did I link to the wrong paper? That's an important detail and it's not in the article. I'm not sure if you can get past the paywall but: Section 2, paragraph 4, last sentence. "Carbon doped TiO2 from Kronos International was used." How much more effective? It varies from 2x-10x depending on the reaction conditions. Here is a paper that shows 2x-4x based on a relatively primitive doping technique. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2007.09.046 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2007.09.046 Italcementi Their TX Active may or may not be carbon doped, I couldn't find a straight answer on their website. Self-cleaning TiO2 is almost certainly doped (Ag or SiO2).

haldujai 13y ago

This paper is about carbon doped TiO2, its synthesis was patented in 2005 and is much more effective than regular TiO2.

salmonellaeater 13y ago
carbon doped TiO2 Can you provide a reference? Did I link to the wrong paper? That's an important detail and it's not in the article. much more effective than regular TiO2 How much more effective? The study done by Italcementi in 2002-2003 (admittedly not very trustworthy since it's done by the company that makes the product) has numbers comparable to the Eindhoven study.
- haldujai 13y ago
  Can you provide a reference? Did I link to the wrong paper? That's an important detail and it's not in the article. I'm not sure if you can get past the paywall but: Section 2, paragraph 4, last sentence. "Carbon doped TiO2 from Kronos International was used." How much more effective? It varies from 2x-10x depending on the reaction conditions. Here is a paper that shows 2x-4x based on a relatively primitive doping technique. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2007.09.046 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2007.09.046 Italcementi Their TX Active may or may not be carbon doped, I couldn't find a straight answer on their website. Self-cleaning TiO2 is almost certainly doped (Ag or SiO2).