Sputnik reported that the scientists used solar or LED light to obtain oxygen instead of ultraviolet light, as traditionally used.

The new photocatalysts have an efficiency of 49 to 62 percent in the production of so-called singlet oxygen, compared to 30 percent for conventional catalysts based on titanium and wolfram.

This photosensitization method will make the scrubbing process cheaper, as LED lamps cost 65 to 70 times less than ultraviolet lamps.

The new photocatalysts are also 100 percent effective in converting sulfides to sulfoxides, which are used in drugs to treat cancer and neurological diseases.

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