β-SiC alveolar foams as a structured photocatalytic support for the gas phase photocatalytic degradation of methylethylketone

Coating-free TiO2@β-SiC alveolar foams as a ready-to-use composite photocatalyst with tunable adsorption properties for water treatment

“…In this vein, among cellular monolithic solids, metallic and ceramic open-cell alveolar solid foams have recently attracted signicant interest for use as photocatalyst supports in water treatment to take advantage of a static mixer effect inside the reactor and due to their better light transmission than honeycomb-or square-channel monoliths. [7][8][9][10][11] In addition, their open structure enables the photocatalyst to operate at an ultra-low pressure drop. 7 Among ceramic foams, medium surface area self-bonded b-SiC foams have attracted strong interest thanks to their high thermal and chemical stability that allow them to be submitted to a wide range of severe conditions during the photocatalyst immobilization step, the reaction itself or thermal/chemical regeneration steps (if required).…”

Photocatalysis: Basic Principles, Diverse Forms of Implementations and Emerging Scientific Opportunities

“…[70] As shown in Figure 7, TiO 2 photocatalyst was immobilized on β-SiC foam with a high open porosity structure, which benefited larger loading amount of TiO 2 and air flow during gas phase photocatalytic reaction. [71] …”

Gas‐Phase Photooxidation: Reactors and Materials

“…(B) Optical images of the pre‐shaped alveolar polyurethane precursor and the corresponding alveolar open‐cell self‐bonded β ‐SiC foam obtained with the shape memory synthesis (SMS) replica method. Optical and SEM images (C, D) of the bare medium specific surface area β ‐SiC foam and (E, F) of the TiO 2 UV100 (15 wt %)/ β ‐SiC foam, in both cases with a 5400 μm mean cell size, reproduced from 66 with permission from Elsevier. (b) Scheme of the flow‐through structured photocatalytic reactor incorporating LEDs and the TiO 2 MPT623/ β ‐SiC foam.…”

“…The coating of TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) or nanotubes on surfaces like non‐woven fabrics, ceramic foams, porous metallic structures, glass beads or surfaces is the most often applied method for developing a photocatalytic process. For a possible application for liquid‐ or gas‐phase remediation, the supported photocatalyst has to minimize the intrinsic drawbacks issued from the immobilization of TiO 2 on a macroscopic support, namely (i) low exposed surface area‐to‐volume ratio, (ii) possible mass transfer limitations, (iii) increase of pressure drop inside the photocatalytic reactor, (iv) complexity in providing the light to the photocatalyst, and (v) possible catalyst washout or fouling due to poor photocatalyst adherence 66.…”

“…Their highly open porous structure with large surface area provides excellent properties for optimizing gas flow with a low pressure drop and a good surface contact 46. Besides the most often used metallic foams mainly made of nickel or aluminum and ceramic foams mainly made of alumina or cordierite, polymeric and carbon foams are less employed 66. Alternatively, β ‐SiC foams with medium specific surface area and large mean cell size recently demonstrated very interesting properties for methylethylketone oxidation at low flow rate and concentration both in a single‐pass or recirculation mode 45.…”