Abstract Conventional methods to clean wastewater actually lead to incomplete treatments, calling for advanced technologies to degrade recalcitrant pollutants. Herein we review solar photo-oxidation to degrade the recalcitrant contaminants in industrial wastewater, with focus on photocatalysts, reactor design and the photo-Fenton process. We discuss limitations due to low visible-light absorption, catalyst collection and reusability, and production of toxic by-products. Photodegradation of refractory organics by solar light is controlled by pH, photocatalyst composition and bandgap, pollutant properties and concentration, irradiation type and intensity, catalyst loading, and the water matrix. 

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Solar photo-oxidation of recalcitrant industrial wastewater: a review

A systematic review of intermediates and their characterization methods in VOCs degradation by different catalytic technologies

Photocatalytic reforming of biomass has emerged as an area of significant interest within the last decade. The number of papers published in the literature has been steadily increasing with keywords such as 'hydrogen' and 'visible' becoming prominent research topics. There are likely two primary drivers behind this, the first of which is that biomass represents a more sustainable photocatalytic feedstock for reforming to value-added products and energy. The second is the transition towards achieving net zero emission targets, which has increased focus on the development of technologies that could play a role in future energy systems. Therefore, this review provides a perspective on not only the current state of the research but also a future outlook on the potential roadmap for photocatalytic reforming of biomass. Producing energy via photocatalytic biomass reforming is very desirable due to the ambient operating conditions and potential to utilise renewable energy (e.g., solar) with a wide variety of biomass resources. As both interest and development within this field continues to grow, however, there are challenges being identified that are paramount to further advancement. In reviewing both the literature and trajectory of the field, research priorities can be identified and utilised to facilitate fundamental research alongside whole systems evaluation. Moreover, this would underpin the enhancement of photocatalytic technology with a view towards improving the technology readiness level and promoting engagement between academia and industry. 

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Photocatalytic Reforming of Biomass: What Role Will the Technology Play in Future Energy Systems

Carbon-integrated semiconductor photocatalysts for removal of volatile organic compounds in indoor environments

The construction of p-n heterojunction for enhancing photocatalytic performance in environmental application: A review

Modeling of indoor air treatment using an innovative photocatalytic luminous textile: reactor compactness and mass transfer enhancement

Photoelectrochemical properties and reactivity of supported titanium NTs for bacterial inactivation and organic pollutant removal

Synergistic Effect of CuxOy-NPs/TiO2-NTs Heterostructure on the Photodegradation of Amido Black Staining

AgxO/Ag/TiO2 photoactive thin films were produced by different modes of magnetron sputtering (namely, DCMS and HiPIMS). The spectral and microstructural properties of the Ag-AgxO/TiO2 thin films were studied by Diffuse Reflection Spectroscopy (DRS) and X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS). The atomic deposition of TiO2 and Ag in the thin sputtered film were studied by TEM. AgxO/Ag/TiO2 exhibited fast photocatalytic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) degradation and bacterial inactivation under low visible light intensity. The Langmuir Hinshelwood model was applied to highlight the photocatalytic performance of the AgxO/Ag/TiO2 catalyst. The oxidative states of Ag-AgxO/TiO2 were studied by XPS. Deconvolution of the Ag3d peak of the AgxO/Ag/TiO2 thin films showed the presence of AgO and metallic Ag. It is suggested that the mechanism involving the degradation of VOCs on AgO/Ag/TiO2 catalysts is due to the transfer of holes from AgO to TiO2 via the AgO/Ag/TiO2 heterojunction. The electrostatic interaction between both semiconductors allows this charge transfer. In addition, the contribution of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in bacterial inactivation at the interface of AgO/Ag/TiO2 thin film was also examined. Light-induced interfacial charge transfer (IFCT) between AgO and TiO2 leading to pollutants oxidation appears to require low photons’ energy and can oxidize pollutants even at high concentrations. The sputtered coatings have also been studied for repetitive reuse, showing the sustainable activity of the prepared materials. 

/pdf/dynamics-of-vocs-degradation-and-bacterial-inactivation-at-2ae9lxa4.pdf

Mabrouk Abidi

Papers

Modeling of indoor air treatment using an innovative photocatalytic luminous textile: reactor compactness and mass transfer enhancement

Photoelectrochemical properties and reactivity of supported titanium NTs for bacterial inactivation and organic pollutant removal

Synergistic Effect of CuxOy-NPs/TiO2-NTs Heterostructure on the Photodegradation of Amido Black Staining

Dynamics of VOCs degradation and bacterial inactivation at the interface of AgxO/Ag/TiO2 prepared by HiPIMS under indoor light