Evaluation of Thermal Stability of TiO۲ Applied on the Surface of a Ceramic Tile to Eliminate Methylene Blue Using Silica-based Doping Materials

Nanotechnology is a promising and practical method for removing volatile organic materials from tile surfaces. Tiles are usually coated at temperatures above ۱۰۰۰ °C. At temperatures above ۵۰۰ °C, TiO۲ cannot maintain its photocatalytic properties due to the anatase to rutile phase transformation, making it difficult to perform the method. One of the main goals of this study is to explore the possibility of producing TiO۲ nanostructures through a simple and cost-effective method without requiring any modifications to existing factory production lines. In this experimental study, the nanostructure of TiO۲ was doped with nickel and nitrogen ions, prepared based on silica through the sol-gel method, and mixed with a glaze called nanoglaze. The resulting nanostructure was calcined at ۱۲۰۰ °C, where the molecular ratio of silica-based doped TiO۲ was changed. The nanoglaze was coated on the blocks and placed under the CFL lamp. SEM, FTIR, XRD, and TGA techniques were used to analyze its nanostructure. The results showed the thermal stability of the nanostructure at ۱۲۰۰ °C. TiO۲ shows a photocatalytic effect only in the ultraviolet region. The removal rate of Methylene Blue as a pollutant sample was tested. The removal rate of methylene blue was ۴۴% in the presence of titanium dioxide photocatalyst. According to XRD analysis, the size of the photocatalyst crystal particles was ۳.۵ nm. Adding TiO۲ removes pollutants from water and air. Also, self-cleaning properties appear in these materials. So, photocatalysts can be added to building structures, pavements, paints, cement and plaster.

Keywords:

photocatalyst , High thermal stability , TiO۲ , Ni-doping , N-doping , SiO۲