This dissertation describes comprehensive studies, including design, preparation, characterization and evaluation, to develop an innovative zeolite-based nanosized TiO₂ photocatalytic paper for disinfection and disintegration of organic toxins.

A novel paper with high photocatalytic performance was successfully prepared using natural zeolite (clinoptilolite)-based nanosized TiO₂ photocatalyst in a microparticle retention papermaking system. Photocatalytic material, from its sol-gel derived TiO₂ colloids to its anchoring onto zeolite, has been designed, prepared and characterized. Prior to photocatalytic papermaking, the characteristics of sol-gel synthesized TiO₂ nanoparticles from colloidal to nanopowder were investigated with various initial sizes of colloidal nanoparticles synthesized in the range of 2.5±0.1 nm and 14.3±0.9 nm. The resulting pre-matured anatase TiO₂ on zeolite particles were also readily used in photocatalytic paper, which revealed zeolite-TiO ₂ particles well-dispersed on a dense network of fibers. The fractions between two crystalline phases of TiO₂ nanoparticles were subsequently specified so as to ensure high optical properties and photoactivity as well, and consequently, the optimum value of phase ratio was in the proportion of 0.48 rutile to 0.52 anatase and 0.71 rutile to 0.29 anatase.

In preparation of photocatalytic paper, natural zeolite is evidently confirmed as the most significant and interactive factor for increasing the TiO₂ retention rate by applying a factorial experimental design. It was revealed that natural zeolite plays an important role in both increasing the retention rate of TiO₂ nanoparticles and enhancing photocatalytic efficiency of the paper. The zeolite-based TiO₂ photocatalytic paper presented here decomposed gaseous toluene very effectively under UV irradiation and the removal efficiency was better than that of a comparison group including Degussa P25 TiO₂ paper and a commercially available photocatalytic paper. It is indeed clear that these outstanding findings provide a strong likelihood of additional applications, such as innovative photocatalytic paper being used for environmental purification, antimicrobial and toxin passivation.