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RESUMEN El TiO2 es uno de los materiales más utilizados en el proceso de fotocatálisis heterogénea debido a su disponibilidad comercial, bajo costo, baja toxicidad y elevada actividad fotocatalítica. Uno de los métodos más eficientes y económicos para obtener recubrimientos de TiO2 es la oxidación electrolítica por plasma. Durante este proceso de anodización, se hace circular corriente continua entre el ánodo y el cátodo inmersos en una solución de electrolito, a voltajes elevados que inducen la formación de arcos eléctricos (spark discharge) en la superficie del ánodo. En el presente trabajo se sintetizaron recubrimientos porosos de TiO2 por oxidación electrolítica por plasma, empleando ácido sulfúrico 1 M como electrolito, cátodo de Pt, titanio Grado 2 como ánodo y una densidad de corriente máxima de 3250 A m-2. Se estudió la influencia del voltaje (90-180 V) y el acabado superficial del ánodo (con y sin pulido metalográfico) sobre la morfología y estructura cristalina de los recubrimientos. Se registró la evolución temporal de la densidad de corriente y el voltaje. La morfología de los óxidos se observó por microscopía electrónica de barrido. Las fases cristalinas se determinaron por difracción de rayos X con incidencia rasante. Las curvas de la densidad de corriente y el voltaje en función del tiempo muestran un comportamiento característico del crecimiento galvanostático-potenciostático de óxidos anódicos, con fluctuaciones propias del fenómeno de spark discharge. Las micrografías de los óxidos mostraron poros con un diámetro promedio 60-160 nm, que aumentó con el voltaje. Los difractogramas indicaron la presencia de las fases anatasa y rutilo del TiO2, con disminución de la fracción anatasa con el incremento del voltaje. No se observó influencia del acabado superficial sobre la morfología y la cristalinidad de los recubrimientos. Los óxidos sintetizados presentan características favorables como material de potencial aplicación en procesos de fotocatálisis heterogénea.

Transparent glass sponges are a new class of materials that can potentially be used for effective light distribution in photocatalytic applications. In this work, transparent glass sponges are prepared by the polymer replica technique and coated with TiO2 to obtain a highly efficient photocatalytic material. Necessary conditions for obtaining transparent open‐celled glass sponges are presented. The structure is characterized by employing light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, µ‐computer tomography (µ‐CT) volume image analysis was performed that allows the calculation of geometrical parameters like pore size and specific surface area (SSA) of the structure, required for application of the new material. For photocatalytic application, the sponges have been coated with titanium dioxide (TiO2) by immersion in a suspension of TiO2 nanoparticles. The activity of the resulting coatings has been tested with the model reaction of transformation of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in aqueous solutions in the presence of EDTA at pH 2. The reaction kinetics could be adjusted to a pseudo‐first order reaction and the obtained rate constants have been employed to evaluate the photocatalytic activity. The activity of the sponges has been compared with that of samples of glass plates coated with TiO2; it has been found that the sponges exhibited a higher catalytic activity than the glass plates. The photocatalytic activity increased with the porosity of the sponges, and the optimum sample was determined based on its photocatalytic performance and its mechanical stability. The results are promissory for application in photoreactors for transformation of pollutants in water and air decontamination.

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The aim of this work is to obtain porous titanium dioxide with good efficiency for photocatalytic environmental applications. TiO 2 coatings were obtained by anodic spark deposition, at constant applied potential (150 V), using a platinum cathode and 0.5 M sulfuric acid as electrolyte. Samples of titanium Grade 2 were used as substrate, metallographically prepared until 1 μm diamond surface finishing. The variables of the process were temperature (25 and 40 °C) and anodization time (5 and 10 min). Samples obtained at 40 °C showed a higher current density than those obtained at 25 °C and the potential reached by these samples was lower than those obtained at 25 °C. These results are attributed to an increased electrolyte conductivity. Optical microscopy images of the oxides obtained at 40 ºC showed heterogeneity in color, indicating a non-uniform oxide thickness. This coincides with the images obtained by scanning electron microscopy that revealed "valleys" where the material did not present porosity. On the other hand, the oxides obtained at 25 °C showed a complete homogeneous porous structure. The average pore diameter was reduced with the increased oxidation time and temperature of the electrolyte. An increase of the crystalline anatase phase was observed with an increase of the anodization time; besides, rutile formation was observed, probably due to the final potential achieved by the samples.