Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) could provide energy-efficient purification of water and air. Its efficacy is constrained mainly by limited active surface. To address this limitation, we report here recent results[1] obtained by us with solid foams of hierarchic porous structures, spanning multiple length-scales, stabilized by photocatalytic doped titania nanoparticles (NP). Zn doping is known to stabilize the photocatalytic active anatase phase [2]. Morphology and physical properties of the NP are characterized by SEM, EDS, DLS, XRD, Raman and UV–Vis spectroscopies. Building on past results [3] solid foams were formed and stabilized by NP complexes with cationic surfactants. Then, foam morphology is characterized, and photocatalytic activity demonstrated in water  [1]. The present work paves the way for the development of efficient systems for air and water purification in the demanding conditions of long space journeys, and of in-orbit gateway stations, in view of the colonization of Moon and Mars, according to the “Terrae Novae 2030+” roadmap of the European Space Agency [4].

References

[1] M Vaccari et al.; Cat Comm 2023, 171, 106527

[2] G. Liu, et al.; Chemosphere. 2005, 59, 1367

[3] S. Llamas, et al., Colloids Surfaces A Physicochem. Eng. Asp. 2019, 575, 299

[4] https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/HRE/Terrae_Novae_2030+strategy_roadmap.pdf