Knowledge Base: Photocatasis / Photo-catalysis / Titanium Dioxide

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The nanotechnology called Photocatalysis; how it works and how it has evolved: The evolution nanotechnology called Photocatalysis is an amazing technological breakthrough! It combines a light source with a TiO2 (titanium dioxide) coating to effectively help in the elimination of airborne bacteria, mold, viruses, fungi, smoke, household odors, and in some cases, even self-cleans. Usually, the maker, with the discovery of the proper binders, are able to apply the liquid compound of TiO2 (titanium dioxide) to a surface, let it be tile, glass, mirror, compact fluorescent tube, air filter, etc. This state-of-the-art technology is not only effective and easy to use, but is the most affordable way to enjoy the benefits of TiO2's (titanium dioxide) photocatalytic action. The TiO2 (titanium dioxide) photocatalytic action is achieved when combined with a properly balanced light source. This action reduces harmful microorganisms that are constantly circulating through the air into harmless CO2 (carbon dioxide, which is expelled during respiration) and H2O (water), thus completely eliminating the microorganism, making this CF bulb completely safe for humans and animals. What is TiO2 (titanium dioxide)? TiO2 (titanium dioxide) is an oxide of the metal titanium which occurs naturally as a rutile in some acid igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks, and is also in sedimentary rocks and beach sands. TiO2 (titanium dioxide) is found in heavy mineral sand deposits rutile and is often associated with a common titanium mineral, ilmenite, together with zircon, monazite and magnetite. TiO2 (titanium dioxide) coating produces photocatalysis with the right light source and together, they create hydroxyl radicals (nothing more than one atom of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen) that act as ‘bullets’ to break down harmful airborne microorganisms (bacteria, mold, viruses and fungi) into nothing more than carbon dioxide and water. It also helps to eliminate smoke and household odors and is completely safe for humans and animals. Must I leave the device (e.g. light bulb, air filter, etc.) on 24 hours a day? No, even intermittent usage helps eliminate airborne bacteria, mold, viruses, fungi, smoke and household odors. For example, an independent study on the loss of viability of E. coli cells under TiO2 (titanium dioxide) photocatalytic reaction showed that after 15 minutes of illumination almost all cells were still viable; however, after 20 minutes only 12% of the cells retained their viability. At the end of 30 minutes of illumination more than 96% of the cells had lost their viability. This study went on to show that complete killing of these cells was achieved after 60 minutes of illumination. It was observed that the light source was turned off after 30 minutes followed by an additional 30 minutes of incubation and darkness, the viable cell count that was obtained at 60 minutes was similar to the sample that had undergone continuous illumination for 60 minutes. Smoke and associated odors don't stand a chance against the Photocatalytic CF Ti02 Photocatalytic Attack. Test results show the absolute assault on smoke over a 40-minute time period. Don't mask it — kill it!