Improving photocatalysts towards innovative market applications: an economic analysis

Abstract

This work examines the commercial viability of titanium dioxide semiconductor catalysts which are activated under the influence of UV light to degrade acetaldehyde (type of VOC) into H2O and CO2. Firstly, variables influencing the quantity demanded of this technology are listed. Attention has especially been paid to its broad competitive environment. Both its direct (gas-phase filters and ozone generators) and its indirect competitors (source control and ventilation measures) are determined. Regulative authorities are indicated to play a prominent role in this context. Secondly, all variables influencing the quantity supplied of the photocatalyst are determined. The choice of the photocatalytic material (production input), is dealt with rather extensively. A cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) is performed for commercially available photocatalysts and materials produced manually in an academic research centre. Of the first category, Millenium (Chrystal Globe) turned out to be the most co