Sonophotocatalytic decomposition of water using TiO(2) photocatalyst.

Sonophotocatalytic reaction is a photocatalytic reaction with ultrasonic irradiation or the simultaneous irradiation of ultrasound and light with a photocatalyst. The possibility of the effect of hybrid of sonochemical and photocatalytic reactions was examined. Liquid water was hardly decomposed to H(2) and O(2) by photocatalysis or sonolysis, independently. In order to decompose water, powdered TiO(2) photocatalyst suspended in distilled water should be simultaneously irradiated by light and ultrasound. This sonophotocatalytic reaction was effective on the decomposition of water to H(2) and O(2).