Abstract: An object is to produce a titanium material with a crystalline titanium oxide film formed on the surface thereof. The titanium material with a crystalline titanium oxide film formed on the surface thereof is useful as a photocatalyst material, a photoelectric conversion element material, a wear-resistant member, an edible oil deterioration-preventing member, and the like that have high functionality.

Abstract: The invention provides a dye-sensitized solar cell module that is capable of achieving high electrical power. The invention provides a dye-sensitized solar cell module in which photoelectrodes and counter electrodes are disposed opposite to each other in a T-shape via an electrolyte layer.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to produce a member useful for preventing edible oil from degrading by performing simple, economical, and safe steps. A method for producing an edible oil degradation-preventing member, comprising the steps of: (1) forming titanium nitride on the surface of a metallic titanium material or titanium alloy material by one treatment method selected from the group consisting of a heat treatment under an ammonia gas atmosphere and a heat treatment under a nitrogen gas atmosphere, at a heating temperature of 750° C.

Abstract: Provided is a dye-sensitized solar cell having high conversion efficiency. The dye-sensitized solar cell is a dye-sensitized solar cell in which a photoelectrode and a counter electrode are disposed opposite to each other via an electrolyte layer; (1) the photoelectrode comprising a titanium material, a blocking layer formed on the titanium material, and a porous titanium oxide layer containing a dye sensitizing agent formed on the blocking layer; and (2) the counter electrode comprising a transparent conductive glass or transparent conductive film coated with an electrochemical-reduction catalyst layer.

Abstract: A material that is useful as a wear-resistant member, a highly functional photocatalytic material, a photoelectric conversion element material, etc., is produced without the need for complicated processes or complicated handling, which are problems of the prior art. Provided is a method for producing a surface-treated metallic titanium material or titanium alloy material, the method comprising the steps of (1) forming titanium nitride on the surface of a metallic titanium material, and (2) heating the metallic titanium material with titanium nitride formed on the surface thereof obtained in step (1) in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: Provided is a dye-sensitized solar cell with a large area that can exhibit high electrical power. The dye-sensitized solar cell is a dye-sensitized solar cell in which a photoelectrode and a counter electrode are disposed opposite to each other via an electrolyte layer; (1) the photoelectrode comprising a titanium material and a titanium oxide layer containing a dye sensitizing agent formed on the titanium material; and (2) the counter electrode comprising a transparent conductive glass or transparent conductive film coated with an electrochemical-reduction catalyst layer, the counter electrode being provided with a collector electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for treating soil-contaminated water, the method using a photocatalytic material capable of efficiently removing, by light irradiation alone, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals that give rise to soil contamination. The present invention provides a method for treating soil-contaminated water that detoxifies volatile organic compounds contained in soil-contaminated water using a photocatalytic material, the method being characterized by including the steps of (1) subjecting the soil-contaminated water to a gas-liquid separation to obtain a gas phase, and (2) decomposing the volatile organic compounds contained in the gas phase obtained in step (1) using the photocatalytic material.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to produce a member useful for preventing edible oil from degrading by performing simple, economical, and safe steps. A method for producing an edible oil degradation-preventing member, comprising the steps of: (1) forming titanium nitride on the surface of a metallic titanium material or titanium alloy material by one treatment method selected from the group consisting of a heat treatment under an ammonia gas atmosphere and a heat treatment under a nitrogen gas atmosphere, at a heating temperature of 750° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for treating soil-contaminated water, the method using a photocatalytic material capable of efficiently removing, by light irradiation alone, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals that give rise to soil contamination. The present invention provides a method for treating soil-contaminated water that detoxifies volatile organic compounds contained in soil-contaminated, water using a photocatalytic material, the method being characterized by including the steps of (1) subjecting the soil-contaminated water to a gas-liquid separation to obtain a gas phase, and (2) decomposing the volatile organic compounds contained in the gas phase obtained in step (1) using the photocatalytic material.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a dye-sensitized solar cell that can exhibit high electrical power corresponding to high photoelectric conversion efficiency. Provided is a dye-sensitized solar cell in which a photoelectrode and a counter electrode are disposed opposite to each other via an electrolyte layer; (1) the photoelectrode comprising a titanium material and a titanium oxide layer containing a dye sensitizing agent formed on the titanium material; (2) the counter electrode comprising a transparent conductive glass or transparent conductive film coated with an electrochemical-reduction catalyst layer; and (3) a light-concentrating device being disposed on the counter electrode side.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell with high photoelectric conversion efficiency and excellent durability is provided. The dye-sensitized solar cell comprises a photoelectrode and a counter electrode that are disposed opposite to each other via an electrolyte layer; (1) the photoelectrode comprising a metal titanium material or titanium alloy material, and a semiconductor layer formed on the metal titanium material or titanium alloy material, the semiconductor layer containing a dye sensitizing agent; (2) the counter electrode comprising a metal titanium material or titanium alloy material coated with an electrochemical-reduction catalyst layer; (3) a light irradiation means being disposed between the photoelectrode and the counter electrode.

Abstract: A material that is useful as a wear-resistant member, a highly functional photocatalytic material, a photoelectric conversion element material, etc., is produced without the need for complicated processes or complicated handling, which are problems of the prior art. Provided is a method for producing a surface-treated metallic titanium material or titanium alloy material, the method comprising the steps of (1) forming titanium nitride on the surface of a metallic titanium material, and (2) heating the metallic titanium material with titanium nitride formed on the surface thereof obtained in step (1) in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a crystalline titanium oxide film useful as a photocatalyst, a photovoltaic element, etc. The crystalline titanium oxide film is produced by steps (a-1) and (b): (a-1) a step of heating titanium or titanium alloy under conditions (1) or (2) to form titanium nitride on the surface of the titanium or titanium alloy; (1) in an atmosphere of nitrogen and/or ammonia gas in the presence of a carbon material acting as an oxygen trapping agent; or (2) in an atmosphere where a pressure is reduced to discharge atmospheric gas, and then nitrogen and/or ammonia gas are/is introduced in the presence of a carbon material acting as an oxygen trapping agent; and (b) a step of immersing the titanium or titanium alloy obtained in step (a-1) above in an electrolyte containing an inorganic acid and/or organic acid, and applying voltage for anodization.

Abstract: This invention provides a dye-sensitized solar cell ensuring high photoelectric conversion efficiency. The dye-sensitized solar cell comprises a photoelectrode and a counter electrode, which are oppositely disposed with an electrolyte layer interposed therebetween, wherein: (1) the photoelectrode is structured such that a semiconductor layer containing a dye sensitizer is formed on a titanium or titanium alloy substrate having an opening structure, (2) the photoelectrode comprises a light condenser that is disposed on the titanium or titanium alloy substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for decomposing and/or removing hazardous substances using a photocatalytic material. The method of the present invention is sufficiently useful in fields requiring quick decomposition and/or removal of hazardous substances in gas and/or liquid phases. The decomposition method of the present invention using a photocatalytic material enables significantly efficient and rapid decomposition of hazardous substances in gas and/or liquid phases by causing a photocatalytic material to coexist with a dilute hydrogen peroxide solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for decomposing and/or removing hazardous substances using a photocatalytic material. The method of the present invention is sufficiently useful in fields requiring quick decomposition and/or removal of hazardous substances in gas and/or liquid phases. The decomposition method of the present invention using a photocatalytic material enables significantly efficient and rapid decomposition of hazardous substances in gas and/or liquid phases by causing a photocatalytic material to coexist with a dilute hydrogen peroxide solution.

Abstract: This invention provides a dye-sensitized solar cell ensuring high photoelectric conversion efficiency. The dye-sensitized solar cell comprises a photoelectrode and a counter electrode, which are oppositely disposed with an electrolyte layer interposed therebetween, wherein: (1) the photoelectrode is structured such that a semiconductor layer containing a dye sensitizer is formed on a titanium or titanium alloy substrate having an opening structure, (2) the photoelectrode comprises a light condenser that is disposed on the titanium or titanium alloy substrate.

Abstract: The lining structure of the present invention comprises lining plates each having supporting portions formed at two opposite sides of a square lining plate body via bent step portions, and covering portions formed at the remaining sides of the lining plate body; the lining plates being arranged in longitudinal and transverse directions on a surface to be lined; in the first and second lining plates that are adjacent to each other in longitudinal and transverse directions, a covering portion of one of the lining plates being superposed on a supporting portion of, and being butted against the lining plate body of, another of the lining plates, with the butted portion being joined by welding, with an adhesive, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: This invention aims to provide a method for producing a crystalline titanium oxide film that is suitable for industrial production; that forms a large amount of crystalline titanium oxide; and that is useful as a photocatalyst, a photovoltaic element, and the like.

Abstract: The lining structure of the present invention comprises lining plates each having supporting portions formed at two opposite sides of a square lining plate body via bent step portions, and covering portions formed at the remaining sides of the lining plate body; the lining plates being arranged in longitudinal and transverse directions on a surface to be lined; in the first and second lining plates that are adjacent to each other in longitudinal and transverse directions, a covering portion of one of the lining plates being superposed on a supporting portion of, and being butted against the lining plate body of, another of the lining plates, with the butted portion being joined by welding, with an adhesive, or a combination thereof.