US 12115524 B1Patent grantUnited States

Palm-Biochar Organoselenium Photocatalyst

Official patent title

Method of producing organoselenium-based nanocomposite

Arabic title: طريقة لإنتاج مركب نانوي قائم على السيلينيوم العضوي

Invention

Problem

Conventional TiO2 photocatalysts mainly use ultraviolet light and therefore make limited use of visible light for degrading organic contaminants. A material is needed that can improve pollutant adsorption and electron transfer under both ultraviolet and visible illumination.

Why it matters

Broader use of the light spectrum could support photocatalytic approaches to environmental cleanup and sustainable energy-conversion research. The disclosure also seeks to incorporate palm waste into a functional carbon support.

Approach

The method acid-treats and carbonizes a mixture of palm waste and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to form an MWCNT/biochar support, adds TiO2 nanoparticles, chlorinates surface acyl groups, and reacts the material with an organoselenium compound and an aliphatic amine to produce Se—TiO2-MWCNT/biochar.

Who may benefit

Potential beneficiaries include photocatalyst and advanced-material developers, environmental-remediation researchers, water- and air-treatment technology teams, and laboratories studying solar-driven redox processes.

Potential value

The disclosed route combines organoselenium chemistry, TiO2, conductive MWCNTs, and palm-derived biochar in one supported nanocomposite, with defined preparation conditions and a stated objective of improving visible-light absorption, adsorption, and charge transfer.

Background

Photocatalysis is investigated for both pollutant degradation and sustainable energy conversion because it can operate under relatively mild conditions. TiO2 is photostable and strongly oxidative under ultraviolet light, but ultraviolet radiation represents only a small part of sunlight, limiting TiO2 performance where visible light predominates. Organoselenium compounds can participate in redox reactions, while MWCNTs and biochar can provide conductive, high-surface-area supports. The patent therefore frames a need to integrate these components so that organic contaminants may be adsorbed and degraded under ultraviolet and visible light.

Technology overview

Palm waste and MWCNTs are treated with phosphoric acid and carbonized under inert gas to make a hybrid biochar. TiO2 nanoparticles are incorporated, acyl groups are converted with a chlorinating agent, and an organoselenium amidic-acid compound is attached in the presence of an aliphatic amine. Claims specify optional particle sizes, MWCNT proportions, carbonization temperatures, gas-flow rates, calcination, and organoselenium-synthesis reagents, providing a defined manufacturing framework for the composite.

Potential applications

Photocatalytic degradation research for organic contaminants in water.
Photocatalytic materials for potential air-pollutant treatment.
Solar-responsive catalyst research using ultraviolet and visible light.
Supported redox-material platforms for environmental and energy-conversion studies.

Evidence-supported advantages

Combines TiO2, organoselenium chemistry, MWCNTs, and biochar in one architecture.
Uses palm waste as a carbon-rich support precursor.
Provides defined acid-treatment, carbonization, chlorination, and coupling steps.
Is designed to improve pollutant adsorption, electron transfer, and response to visible light.

Development stage

Patent publication; development stage not independently verified.

Commercial opportunity

The technology may interest catalyst manufacturers, environmental-material suppliers, and water- or air-treatment developers seeking a differentiated supported photocatalyst. Commercial assessment would require reproducible fabrication, quantified photocatalytic performance, stability, recovery, and safety data under intended operating conditions. Pilot testing with real contaminant mixtures would be especially important.

Patent classifications

WIPO IPC

B01J31/12Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J37/04Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus

CPC

B01J21/185Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J31/0247Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J31/0272Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J31/0275Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J31/122Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J37/04Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J37/084Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J37/24Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
C07F11/00Acyclic, carbocyclic or heterocyclic compounds containing elements other than carbon, hydrogen, halogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, selenium or tellurium
B01J35/39Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus

Inventors

First inventorTarek Ahmed Yousef
InventorHanan A. Althikrallah
InventorSaad Shaaban
InventorMohsen Ahmed

Keywords

organoselenium
TiO2
MWCNT
biochar
palm waste
photocatalysis
visible light
pollutant degradation

Patent document and drawings

The patent publication is mapped to this record. Patent drawings remain within that publication; no separately cleared public media package has been supplied.