Preliminary studies of photocatalytic activity of gypsum plasters containing TiO₂ co-modified with nitrogen and carbon

The conducted studies were focused on the development of the gypsum material exhibiting self-cleaning properties. To this end, the raw gypsum was mixed with unique TiO₂-based photocatalysts, previously modified by nitrogen and/ or carbon doping. The photocatalytic activity of the obtained gypsum plasters was evaluated trough the degradation of model organic compound (Reactive Red 198) under UV-vis irradiation. The impact of the photocatalysts presence on the physicochemical properties of the obtained gypsum plasters was evaluated. Furthermore, the role of non-metals presence on the photocatalytic properties of the TiO₂ was determined. It was confirmed that the addition of N,C co-modified titanium dioxide into gypsum bestows this material with self-cleaning properties. The highest dye removal rate was displayed by the gypsum plaster containing optimal amount (10 wt%) of co-modified TiO₂/N,C photocatalyst, after 20 hours of UV-vis irradiation.