Magnetic Field Effect on the Photocatalytic Reaction with TiO₂ Semiconductor Film

Abstract

Magnetic field effects (MFEs) on the photocatalytic decomposition reaction of methylene blue (MB) with a TiO₂ semiconductor film were studied under magnetic fields of 0-1.5 T. Upon light irradiation on the TiO₂ film in an aqueous solution of MB, the photocatalytic decomposition reaction occurred to form Azure A and Azure B, which were generated by N-demethylations of MB. Conversions of MB were observed in the absence and presence of a magnetic field of 1.5T by uvvis spectra. We found an increase of MB conversion by about 7% at 1.5 T. The MFEs can be explained by the Δg mechanism for electron-hole pairs, where the lifetime of the pair should be increased by the field.