What Is Nanotechnology?

Our proprietary TiO2 application process is another treatment that is enormously successful when used after mold remediation is performed as an encapsulant to preserve and continuously clean using the power of light. Much like photosynthesis, a surface that has been treated with TiO2 actually burns up harmful pollutants and turns them into clean oxygen. Each 1000 square feet of treated surface is the equivalent of planting 40 trees. It is safe and inert and is the most effective odor eliminator available.

Our revolutionary and innovative process allows us to treat 40,000 square feet by midday as opposed to traditional methods that treat 1000 square feet in an entire day. This amounts to enormous savings for our clients.

Nanotechnology is not just about the size of very small things; it is the revolutionary science and art of manipulating matter at the atomic or molecular scale. More important, it is about the structure and the ability of molecular compounds to "work". Research in areas related to nanomaterial is needed to develop manufacturing techniques. In particular, it is a synergy of top-down with bottom-up processes.

When matter is as small as 1 to 100 nanometers, many of its features will easily change and have many unique features both different from macro-matters and single atoms due to the quanta effect, regional confinement of matter, and huge surface or interface effects. The final objective of nanometer technology is to produce products of special functions with new physical and chemical features by making atoms, molecules and matters presenting their features directly in the length of a nanometer: the strength of ten times of iron could be very light, all information in a library could be stored in a chip the size of a sugar cube, and tumors the sizes of only several cells can be detected.

The US Business Weekly listed nanometer technology as one of the three key areas of work in the 21st century. From 1999, the US government decided to classify research in nanometer technology as one of the 11 key areas in the first ten years of the new century. In February 2000, US president Bill Clinton announced that the US Federal Government would invest 495 million dollars to set up a work group and put forth a research report promoting nanometer technology, with hopes that it will lead to the next industrial revolution.

Titanium dioxide's photocatalytic characteristics are greatly enhanced due to the advent of nanotechnology. At nano-scale, not only the surface area of titanium dioxide particle increases dramatically but also it exhibits other effects on optical properties and size quantization. An increased rate in photocatalytic reaction is observed as the redox potential increases and the size decreases. In some cases (such as with Envirocleans special composition) energy from any ambient light source can be used effectively as the energy source of photocatalysis instead of UV light.

UV-PCO / TiO2

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a multifaceted compound. It's what makes toothpaste white and paint opaque. TiO2 is also a potent photocatalyst that can break down almost any organic compound when exposed to sunlight, and a number of companies are seeking to capitalize on TiO2's reactivity by developing a wide range of environmentally beneficial products, including self-cleaning fabrics, auto body finishes, and ceramic tiles. Also in development is a paving stone that uses the catalytic properties of TiO2 to remove nitrogen oxide from the air, breaking it down into more environmentally benign substances that can then be washed away by rainfall.

Other experiments with TiO2 involve removing the ripening hormone ethylene from areas where perishable fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers are stored; stripping organic pollutants such as trichloroethylene and methyl-tert-butyl ether from water; and degrading toxins produced by blue-green algae. It remains to be seen, however, whether the formation of undesirable intermediate products during these processes outweighs the benefits offered by TiO2's photocatalytic properties. Titanium dioxide is awell-known photocatalyst for water and air treatment as well as for catalytic production of gases. The general scheme for the photocatalytic destruction of organics begins with its excitation by suprabandgap photons, and continues through redox reactions where OH radicals, formed on the photocatalyst surface, play a major role.

Titanium dioxide is non-toxic and therefore is used in cosmetic products (sunscreens, lipsticks, body powder, soap, pearl essence pigments, tooth pastes) and also in special pharmaceutics. Titanium dioxide is even used in food stuffs, for instance in the wrapping of salami. Small amounts added to cigar tobacco are the cause of the white ash cigar smokers so cherish.

Mechanism of Photocatalytic Chemistry of TiO2 Nanotechnology

When photocatalyst titanium dioxide (TiO2) absorbs Ultraviolet (UV)* radiation from sunlight or illuminated light source (fluorescent lamps), it will produce pairs of electrons and holes. The electron of the valence band of titanium dioxide becomes excited when illuminated by light. The excess energy of this excited electron promoted the electron to the conduction band of titanium dioxide therefore creating the negative-electron (e-) and positive-hole (h+) pair. This stage is referred as the semiconductor's 'photo-excitation' state. The energy difference between the valence band and the conduction band is known as the 'Band Gap'. Wavelength of the light necessary for photo-excitation is: 1240 (Planck's constant, h) / 3.2 ev (band gap energy) = 388 nm.

The positive-hole of titanium dioxide breaks apart the water molecule to form hydrogen gas and hydroxyl radical. The negative-electron reacts with oxygen molecule to form super oxide anion. This cycle continues when light is available.

TiO2 & Your Health:

Applications of Photocatalyst Nanotechnology:

1. Bacterial Reduction

Effect Photocatalyst does not only kill bacteria cells, but also decompose the cell itself. The titanium dioxide photocatalyst has been found to be more effective than any other antibacterial agent, because the photocatalytic reaction works even when there are cells covering the surface and while the bacteria are actively propagating. The end toxin produced at the death of cell is also expected to be decomposed by photocatalytic action. Titanium dioxide does not deteriorate and it shows a long-term bacteria reduction effect. Generally speaking, disinfections by titanium oxide is three times stronger than chlorine, and 1.5 times stronger than ozone.

2. Deodorizing Effect

On the deodorizing application, the hydroxyl radicals accelerate the breakdown of any Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs by destroying the molecular bonds. This will help combine the organic gases to form a single molecule that is not harmful to humans thus enhance the air cleaning efficiency. Some of the examples of odor molecules are: Tobacco odor, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, urine and fecal odor, gasoline, and many other hydro carbon molecules in the atmosphere.

Air purifier with Ti02 can prevent smoke and soil, pollen, bacteria, virus and harmful gas as well as seize the free bacteria in the air by filtering percentage of 99.9% with the help of the highly oxidizing effect of photocatalyst (Ti02).

3. Air Purifying Effect

The photocatalytic reactivity of titanium oxides can be applied for the reduction or elimination of polluted compounds in air such as NOx, cigarette smoke, as well as volatile compounds arising from various construction materials. Also, high photocatalytic reactivity can be applied to protect lamp-houses and walls in tunneling, as well as to prevent white tents from becoming sooty and dark. Atmospheric constituents such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and CFC substitutes, greenhouse gases, and nitrogenous and sulfurous compounds undergo photochemical reactions either directly or indirectly in the presence of sunlight. In a polluted area, these pollutants can eventually be removed.

4. Self-Cleaning

Most of the exterior walls of buildings become soiled from automotive exhaust fumes, which contain oily components. When the original building materials are coated with a photocatalyst, a protective film of titanium provides the self-cleaning building by creating bio-static (nothing will grow on it), super oxidative, and hydrophilic surfaces. The hydrocarbon from automotive exhaust is oxidized and the dirt on the walls washes away with rainfall, keeping the building exterior clean at all times.

5. Water Purification

Photocatalyst coupled with UV lights can oxidize organic pollutants into nontoxic materials, such as CO2 and water and can disinfect certain bacteria. This technology is very effective at removing further hazardous organic compounds (TOCs) and at killing a variety of bacteria and some viruses in the secondary wastewater treatment. Pilot projects demonstrated that photocatalytic detoxification systems could effectively kill fecal coli form bacteria in secondary wastewater treatment.

TiO2 Solutions

Interior Solutions:

• Protects Interior Surfaces
• Enhances Air Quality (IAQ)
• Eliminates Odors such as pet urine and cigarette smoke
• Provides Touch-Point Protection
• Prevents Bacteria and Viruses from Living and Breeding
• Eliminates Volatile Organic Compounds

Use on Showers, Tiles, Walls, Toilets, Kitchens, Laundry Areas, Living Areas, Windows, Touch-Points, HVAC Systems, Furniture, Clothing, Ceilings, Smoking Areas, Flooring, Seating and more...

Exterior Solutions:

• Self Cleaning
• UV Fade Resistant
• Anti- Water Stain
• Anti-Fog
• Anti-Soiling
• Reduce Atmospheric Pollution
• Reduce GREEN HOUSE Gases
• Removes (O3) OZONE
• Eliminates Bio-Film
• Reduce Maintenance Cost

Use on Metal, Glass, Wood, Aluminum, Fiberglass, Gel-Coated, Tile, Stone, Brick, Paint, Stucco, Plastic, Decking, Block, Concrete, Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs and more.

Transportation Solutions:

• Air Purification
• Deodorization
• Self-Cleaning
• Paint Protection
• Rust Prevention

Use on Cars, Trucks, Buses, Trains, Airplanes, RV's, Travel Trailers, Motorcycles, Vans, Subway Cars, Boats and more.

Learn more about our Air Pollution Control Devices.

Contact us for additional information:

Phone: 914-361-9703
E-mail: info@turtleclan.com