The surface science of titanium dioxide

TiO2 photocatalysis and related surface phenomena

Photoinduced reactivity of titanium dioxide

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

Dielectric-barrier discharges (silent discharges) are used on a large industrial scale. They combine the advantages of non-equilibrium plasma properties with the ease of atmospheric-pressure operation. A prominent feature is the simple scalability from small laboratory reactors to large industrial installations with megawatt input powers. Efficient and cost-effective all-solid-state power supplies are available. The preferred frequency range lies between 1 kHz and 10 MHz, the preferred pressure range between 10 kPa and 500 kPa. Industrial applications include ozone generation, pollution control, surface treatment, high power CO2 lasers, ultraviolet excimer lamps, excimer based mercury-free fluorescent lamps, and flat large-area plasma displays. Depending on the application and the operating conditions the discharge can have pronounced filamentary structure or fairly diffuse appearance. History, discharge physics, and plasma chemistry of dielectric-barrier discharges and their applications are discussed in detail.

https://www3.nd.edu/~sst/teaching/AME60637/reading/2003_PCPP_Kogelschatz_dbd_review.pdf

E. Oliveros

Papers

Photochemical processes for water treatment

Photochemical Processes for Water Treatment