US 12179180 B1Patent grantUnited States

Gold-Enhanced Biochar Photocatalyst

Official patent title

Organoselenium compounds with gold-modified Bi2O3/TiO2 supported in carbon-activated carbons

Arabic title: مركبات السيلينيوم العضوي مع Bi2O3/TiO2 المعدّل بالذهب والمدعوم على كربون منشّط

Invention

Problem

Conventional photocatalysts can have limited visible-light response or rapid electron–hole recombination, motivating hybrid catalyst structures that combine light absorption, charge transfer, and a high-area support.

Why it matters

A catalyst architecture that operates under a broader portion of the light spectrum could support further research in pollutant degradation and solar-driven chemical processes.

Approach

The disclosure prepares palm-waste biochar, functionalizes it with organoselenium compounds, and immobilizes gold-doped Bi2O3/TiO2 particles on the support to form a Se/Biochar-Au-Bi2O3/TiO2 catalyst.

Who may benefit

Potential beneficiaries include photocatalysis laboratories, environmental-materials developers, catalyst manufacturers, solar-chemistry researchers, and palm-biomass processors.

Potential value

The technology integrates organoselenium chemistry, Au-doped mixed oxides, and biomass-derived biochar in one supported nanocomposite.

Background

Bi2O3 absorbs visible light but can suffer rapid electron–hole recombination, while TiO2 is photostable and oxidative but primarily absorbs ultraviolet light. Gold nanoparticles can act as electron traps and extend light absorption, and organoselenium compounds can participate in redox chemistry. The patent combines these functions with carbon-rich biochar from palm waste. Its design premise is that the supported hybrid may provide more active surface and facilitate charge transfer under UV and visible illumination, although independent comparative photocatalytic performance is not established by the assigned evidence.

Technology overview

Palm waste is treated with phosphoric acid, carbonized at 400–800 °C under inert gas, and chlorinated with oxalyl chloride. The resulting biochar reacts with a diselenide-derived Schiff-base organoselenium compound. Separately, Bi2O3/TiO2 particles are mixed with HAuCl4 and calcined to create Au-doped particles, which are then combined with the functionalized biochar. A claimed composite has an active layer containing the catalyst, optionally a binder, with particles below 25 nm average size and 10–70 m2/g surface area.

Potential applications

Potential use in photocatalytic degradation studies for organic water pollutants.
Potential use in light-active coatings or supported catalyst particles.
Potential use in solar-driven or visible-light chemical-process research.
Potential use in laboratory platforms for hybrid photocatalyst optimization.

Evidence-supported advantages

Combines four functional components: biochar, organoselenium, Bi2O3/TiO2, and gold.
Uses palm waste as the precursor for the supporting carbon material.
Immobilizes the oxide particles on functionalized biochar rather than leaving them unsupported.
Defines synthesis temperatures, times, particle size, and surface-area ranges.

Development stage

Patent publication describing composite fabrication and material parameters; commercialization and independent photocatalytic-performance validation were not established.

Commercial opportunity

The hybrid catalyst could be evaluated with water-treatment, advanced-materials, or photocatalyst partners through licensing or sponsored testing. Priority diligence includes reproducible scale-up, catalyst recovery and reuse, selenium and gold content, leaching, comparative activity under defined light sources, lifecycle considerations, and application-specific safety requirements.

Patent classifications

WIPO IPC

B01J27/057Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J21/06Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus

CPC

B01J27/0573Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J21/063Chemical 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
B01J35/39Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J23/18Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J35/505Chemical 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
B01J35/19Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J35/613Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J35/30Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J35/45Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus
B01J37/0009Chemical or physical processes, e.g. catalysis or colloid chemistry; their relevant apparatus

Inventors

First inventorTarek Ahmed Yousef
InventorHanan A. Althikrallah
InventorSaad Shaaban

Keywords

organoselenium
biochar
Bi2O3
TiO2
gold doping
photocatalyst
palm waste
nanocomposite

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.