This paper deals with the elaboration of titanium dioxide coatings designed for photocatalytic applications, obtained by suspension plasma spraying (SPS), an alternative of the atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) in which the material feedstock is a suspension of the powder to be sprayed. Two different TiO 2 powders were dispersed in distilled water and ethanol and injected in Ar-H 2 or Ar-H 2 -He plasma under atmospheric conditions. SEM and XRD analysis were performed to study the microstructure and surface features of the titania coatings. Photocatalytic efficiency of the elaborated samples was evaluated from the conversion rate of different air pollutants: NOx and SO 2 . The present results showed that the suspension plasma spraying allows to produce reactive surfaces for the removal of air pollutants that in the same working conditions, present a higher photocatalytic activity compared to that of the initial raw powders.

LERMPS laboratory has been implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) for one year now. Only few Research organisms in the world have begun such process, which has up to now mostly been applied to industrial companies. Hence, the path leading to Quality excellence will be long, but LERMPS is on the way for at least certification, and some interesting results have already been achieved. This QMS implementation is mainly focused for the moment on characterisation team, which are the main support of Thermal Spray and PVD coatings activities in LERMPS. Nevertheless it slightly expands its application area to the whole activity of the laboratory, including administrative support processes. Abstract only; no full-text paper available.