http://publicationslist.org/data/meng.chong/ref-18/sdarticle.pdf

Recent Developments in Photocatalytic Water Treatment Technology: A Review

Nano-sized TiO 2 photocatalytic water-splitting technology has great potential for low-cost, environmentally friendly solar-hydrogen production to support the future hydrogen economy. Presently, the solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiency is too low for the technology to be economically sound. The main barriers are the rapid recombination of photo-generated electron/hole pairs as well as backward reaction and the poor activation of TiO 2 by visible light. In response to these deficiencies, many investigators have been conducting research with an emphasis on effective remediation methods. Some investigators studied the effects of addition of sacrificial reagents and carbonate salts to prohibit rapid recombination of electron/hole pairs and backward reactions. Other research focused on the enhancement of photocatalysis by modification of TiO 2 by means of metal loading, metal ion doping, dye sensitization, composite semiconductor, anion doping and metal ion-implantation. This paper aims to review the up-to-date development of the above-mentioned technologies applied to TiO 2 photocatalytic hydrogen production. Based on the studies reported in the literature, metal ion-implantation and dye sensitization are very effective methods to extend the activating spectrum to the visible range. Therefore, they play an important role in the development of efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production.

A review and recent developments in photocatalytic water-splitting using TiO2 for hydrogen production

The photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes containing different functionalities has been reviewed using TiO2 as photocatalyst in aqueous solution under solar and UV irradiation. The mechanism of the photodegradation depends on the radiation used. Charge injection mechanism takes place under visible radiation whereas charge separation occurred under UV light radiation. The process is monitored by following either the decolorization rate and the formation of its end-products. Kinetic analyses indicate that the photodegradation rates of azo dyes can usually be approximated as pseudo-first-order kinetics for both degradation mechanisms, according to the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. The degradation of dyes depend on several parameters such as pH, catalyst concentration, substrate concentration and the presence of electron acceptors such as hydrogen peroxide and ammonium persulphate besides molecular oxygen. The presence of other substances such as inorganic ions, humic acids and solvents commonly found in textile effluents is also discussed. The photocatalyzed degradation of pesticides does not occur instantaneously to form carbon dioxide, but through the formation of long-lived intermediate species. Thus, the study focuses also on the determination of the nature of the principal organic intermediates and the evolution of the mineralization as well as on the degradation pathways followed during the process. Major identified intermediates are hydroxylated derivatives, aromatic amines, naphthoquinone, phenolic compounds and several organic acids. By-products evaluation and toxicity measurements are the key-actions in order to assess the overall process.

TiO2-assisted photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes in aqueous solution: kinetic and mechanistic investigations A review

Decontamination and disinfection of water by solar photocatalysis: Recent overview and trends

With the increased presence of nanomaterials in commercial products, a growing public debate is emerging on whether the environmental and social costs of nanotechnology outweigh its many benefits. To date, few studies have investigated the toxicological and environmental effects of direct and indirect exposure to nanomaterials and no clear guidelines exist to quantify these effects.

The potential environmental impact of engineered nanomaterials

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are characterized by a common chemical feature: the capability of exploiting the high reactivity of OH radicals in driving oxidation processes which are suitable for achieving the complete abatement and through mineralization of even less reactive pollutants. This paper reviews the use of sunlight to produce OH radicals. The experimental systems necessary for performing pilot-plant scale solar photocatalytic experiments are described. It outlines the basic components of these pilot plants and the fundamental parameters related to solar photocatalysis reactions. This paper summarizes also most of the research carried out at Plataforma Solar de Almeria (PSA) related with solar photocatalytic degradation of water contaminants. A description is given of how solar photocatalysis could become a significant segment of the wastewater treatment technologies related with the degradation of very persistent toxic compounds. It outlines also the decomposition of organic and inorganic contaminants and different examples are also shown for better comprehension of the ability of solar energy for carrying out oxidation and reduction processes. These examples include chlorophenols, chlorinated solvents, pesticides and cyanide. Besides, the possibility of using the photo-Fenton reaction illuminated with solar light opens the boundary where solar photocatalysis could be applied.

Photocatalysis with solar energy at a pilot-plant scale: an overview

Particulate suspensions of TiO2 irradiated with natural solar light in a large experimental plant catalyze the oxidation of a typical organic contaminant: pentachlorophenol (PCP). The addition of oxidants, concentration of which is kept constant during treatment, such as hydrogen peroxide, peroxymonosulphate (oxone) and peroxydisulphate increases the rate of photodegradation of PCP in the following order: S2O2−8>Oxone>H2O2. Peroxydisulphate (10 mM), selected as the best oxidant studied, has been applied to the development of a solar photocatalytic plant for the treatment of commercial pesticide rinsates found in the wastewater produced by a pesticide container recycling plant, which includes the correct treatment of this highly contaminating effluent. The first results, without process or hardware optimisation, show that peroxydisulphate enhances the photocatalytic mineralization rate at least five times.

Enhancement of the rate of solar photocatalytic mineralization of organic pollutants by inorganic oxidizing species

Photocatalytic degradation of industrial residual waters

One of the most important sources of polluted water with high pesticide content is the rinsing of empty pesticide containers. In this paper, a pre-industrial TiO2-solar photocatalytic treatment is used to prevent such pollution of continental waters and 10 commercial pesticides are used at various initial concentrations to demonstrate the treatment. Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis is employed to confirm the total mineralization of the contaminants. The results are compared with phenol degradation under the same experimental conditions. Relative photonic efficiency related to TOC (ζr,TOC) is calculated to facilitate comparison with other experimental devices. Furthermore, a kinetic model is proposed for fitting experimental data by an approximate kinetic solution which has the analytical form of a Langmuir–Hinshelwood equation but without its original significance. Finally, an example of calculation of solar plant size from experimental and solar radiation data is shown.

Christoph Richter

Papers

Photocatalysis with solar energy at a pilot-plant scale: an overview

Enhancement of the rate of solar photocatalytic mineralization of organic pollutants by inorganic oxidizing species

Photocatalytic degradation of industrial residual waters

Optimization of pre-industrial solar photocatalytic mineralization of commercial pesticides

Solar photodegradation of pesticides in water by sodium decatungstate