Ti-LAYERED MATERIALS APPLIED IN PHOTOCATALYTIC PROCESSES.

Abstract

Titanium (Ti)-layered materials have interesting characteristics for photocatalytic applications, such as the high specific surface area and ease of intercalation of species in the interlamellar region, which are extremely favorable for the surface processes. In this sense, this review addresses the data available in the literature related to the preparation, structure and main photocatalytic applications of Ti-layered materials. The main synthesis methodologies of these materials were addressed: the hydrothermal, which is mainly used to obtain powders (containing TiO2 or titanates) and the anodization process that is commonly used to obtain films composed mainly of TiO2 nanotubes. Prominent photocatalytic applications for semiconductors were also addressed, focusing on the use of pure or associated Ti-layered materials for the photodegradation of emerging pollutants, photoreduction of CO2 or metals, hydrogen production and the inactivation of microorganisms. It was possible to observe that, despite these being extremely promising materials and with outstanding efficiency in some processes, such materials can still be considered little explored and deserve greater attention from researchers in the area.