Sn-doped and porogen-modified TiO2 photocatalyst for solar light elimination of sulfure diethyle as a model for chemical warfare agent

In the context of the increase in chemical threat due to warfare agents, the development of efficient methods for destruction of Chemical Warfare Agents are of first importance both for civilian and military purposes. Here, we demonstrate that optimized Sn-TiO2 doped and PEG-modified photocatalysts allow increased and high performances under UV A and solar-light irradiations leading to total elimination of highly contaminated environments containing Diethylsulfide (DES) used as a model molecule mimicking Yperite (Mustard Gas). It has been shown that Sn doping induces significant modifications on the structural, morphological, surface, electronic and optical properties of TiO2. For example, the addition of 1% Sn increases significantly the surface area from 30 to 80 m2/g and decreases the particle size, while Sn-doping results in a reduction of the anatase band-gap from 3.2 to 2.95 eV. Total DES elimination could be reached for 90 and 120 min under continuous contaminant flux under UV A and solar light activation, respectively accompanied with limited deactivation phenomenon. Correlations between the resulting physico-chemical properties of the doped and PEG-modified materials and the photocatalytic activities were carried out. The results open up extremely promising way for the decontamination of highly contaminated environments containing real warfare agents under UV A but also under solar light illumination.