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KRONOS International Inc. has introduced a Titanium Dioxide-based photocatalyst that purports to facilitate “targeted degradation” of pollutants with minimal visible light.
KRONOS vlp 7000 accelerates the degradation of organic molecules and mineralization of nitrogen oxides when exposed to any visible light.
The product, part of the company’s KRONOClean line of photocatalysts, is reported to convert air pollutants into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and water.
No UV Radiation Required
Titanium Dioxide is known as a pigment and a UV absorber and protects the polymer matrix against UV destruction. The Titanium Dioxide pigments in KRONOS vlp 7000 are optimized to obtain the lowest possible level of photocatalytic activity, so no UV radiation is required, says the company, based in Leverkusen, Germany.
The product eliminates a variety of odors, pollutants, stains and soiling, including aldehydes, alcohols, phenols, ammonia, amines, and carbon monoxide, the company says. The effectiveness is reported to extend to phenols and other aromatic compounds, and toxic nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.
Systems containing the product also promote resistance to algae and mildew, according to the company.
Coatings Applications
Applications include coatings of all kinds, textiles and plastic films, and cement. The product, which contains 95% TiO2, is supplied as a pale beige powder that the company says has virtually no coloring properties in most applications.
To be optimally effective, the catalyst requires only light, air and direct contact with the pollutants, the company says. The photocatalyst should preferably be immobilized on a matrix surface, or embedded in transparent, porous structures.
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