Chemical Science International Journal

This study examines the photocatalytic activity of coatings produced by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS). The spraying tool used is a water-stabilized plasma gun WSP. The TiO₂– Fe₂O₃ powder with and without Na₂SiO₃ additive was agglomerated to build particles suitable for feeding into the plasma jet and spraying. The coatings are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction. Photocatalytic degradation of acetone as well as the growth kinetics of the products - carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide - is quantified for both coating types and compared with a pure TiO₂ coating. The coatings show a lamellar structure, as is typical for this technological process. However the porosity is rather high. Anatase titania from the feedstock powder is converted to rutile phase whereas a presence of FeTiO₃ is detected in the coating without Na₂SiO₃. The coating from powder with Na₂SiO₃ admixture is amorphous. Both coatings are more photocatalytically active than the reference TiO₂ coating.