Tokyo, Oct 16, 2012 - (JCN Newswire) - Showa Titanium Co., Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary of Showa Denko K.K. (SDK), has developed titanium oxide fine particles for use in UV-light-responsive photocatalyst with highest-level activity. The product has been developed as part of a project sponsored by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Showa Titanium is conducting tests for volume production at its pilot plant, aiming to commercialize the product by the end of 2013.
Photocatalyst accelerates specific chemical reactions, using light energy. When used as photocatalyst, titanium oxide causes strong oxidation/reduction reactions in the presence of UV light, decomposing stains of organic substances. It also exhibits ultra hydrophilicity, causing water to spread as a thin film. Thus, titanium-oxide-based photocatalyst is expected to contribute to environmental purification using natural energy, for such applications as antifogging window glass and antifouling coating for external walls.
When titanium oxide particles become finer, their photocatalytic activity improves. However, fine particles of titanium oxide often develop crystal defect, resulting in lower efficiency in the use of light and lower photocatalytic activity. Showa Titanium has developed decahedral titanium oxide fine particles with minimized defect, by applying its gas-phase technology to produce titanium oxide nanoparticles for ceramic capacitors.
In addition to promoting the use of the new product in higher-activity photocatalyst, Showa Titanium will aim to develop new applications in the area of functional materials, using the advantage of "fine particles with minimized defect."
Showa Titanium will introduce this new product at NEDO's forum for reporting the results of "Project to Create Photocatalyst Industry for Recycling-oriented Society" to be held at Kokuyo Hall in Shinagawa Ward on October 25.
About Showa Denko
Showa Denko K.K. ('SDK'; TSE: 4004, US: SHWDF) is a major manufacturer and marketer of chemical products serving a wide range of fields ranging from heavy industry to the electronic and computer industries. SDK makes petrochemicals (ethylene, propylene), aluminum products (ingots, rods), electronic equipment (hard disks for computers) and inorganic materials (ceramics, carbons). The company has overseas operations and a joint venture with Netherlands-based Montell and Nippon Petrochemicals to make and market polypropylenes. In March 2001, SDK merged with Showa Denko Aluminum Corporation to strengthen the high-value-added fabricated aluminum products operations, and is today developing next-generation optical communications-use wafers. For more information, please visit www.sdk.co.jp .
Contact:
Showa Denko K.K. (SDK)
IR & PR Office
Tel: +81-3-5470-3235
Oct 16, 2012
Source: Showa Denko
Showa Denko (TSE: 4004) (U.S: SHWDF)
From the Japan Corporate News Network
http://www.japancorp.net
Topic: Research and development
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