Photocatalysis offer a variety of applications such as: a non-energy intensive approach for chemical waste remediation self-cleaning applications sterile coatings and processing water purification air purification energy generation and photocatalytic cancer treatment. The current photocatalyst technologies rely on UV radiation to activate the photocatalyst which has its limitations besides being a hazardous form of radiation. Current limitations preventing widespread industrial use of UV activated photocatalytic systems are the low photocatalytic efficiency and scale-up problems. Thus these systems have to use high power Mercury or Xenon light sources due to the inherent light transfer limitations to UV radiation. Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a new concept and approach that will enable photocatalytic systems more efficiency by utilizing infrared (IR) radiation for photoexcitation. The Rutgers invention accomplishes IR activation through the integration of up-converting Rare Earth doped phosphors with a semiconductor photocatalyst like TiO2. This innovative invention enables enhancements to the performance of photocatalytic and solar technologies by reducing light transfer limitations such as scattering and absorption losses. The up-converting Rare earth doped phosphors will convert the low energy IR radiation to the needed effective high energy UV radiation and therefore localize the UV light in the vicinity of the photocatalyst enhancing performance. For solar applications the system utilizes solar energy more efficiently exploiting the IR radiation which is 7-10 times more available than ambient UV.
This innovative invention enables enhancements to the performance of photocatalytic and solar technologies by reducing light transfer limitations such as scattering and absorption losses. Another benefit of the IR activated Rare Earth doped system is the deeper penetration of the IR wavelengths into biological tissue of approximately 267 times as the wavelength increases from UV to Near IR.