Graphene Composite Improves Photocatalytic Activity Used to Degrade Pollutants

Graphene Flagship partners developed a graphene-titania composite via a one-step procedure to widen and improve the applicability of “smog-eating” cement. The prepared composite showed enhanced photocatalytic activity, degrading up to 40% more pollutants than pristine titania in the model study, and up to 70% more pollutants in the case of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Organic pollutants, such as (NOx) and volatile compounds, are emitted mostly by vehicle exhausts and industry and are the primary cause of air pollution, the researchers said. The Graphene Flagship team working on photocatalytic coatings, coordinated by Italcementi, HeidelbergCement Group, Italy, developed the composite material. It performed liquid-phase...