CHARACTERIZATION OF COPPER-ION CATALYST ENCAPSULATED IN SIO2 MATRICES BY THE SOL-GEL METHOD AND THEIR PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY FOR DECOMPOSITION OF NO INTO N2 AND O2 AT 275-K
Copper(I) ions highly dispersed in SiO2 matrices are prepared by a combination of sol-gel processes and the reduction treatment with H-2. These Cu+ species encapsulated in SiO2 exhibit a stronger photoluminescence at around 515 nm with a longer lifetime and higher photocatalytic activity for the direct decomposition of NO into N2 and O2 at 275 K as compared to those of the Cu+/SiO2 catalyst prepared by an ion-exchange method.