Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol by Thermal Titanium Dioxide Thin Layer Electrodes

Electrochemical processes in industrial effluents have been studied as a means to obtain higher efficiency in wastewater treatment. Heterogeneous photocatalysis appears as a low-cost alternative through the use of lower wattage lamps and thermal TiO 2 films. Photocatalysis became a clean process for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water, air, and soil pollution air, and soil pollution, 2012-09, Vol.223 (7), p.3673-3688
Main Authors: Lopes, Paulo Renato Matos, Montagnolli, Renato Nallin, Bidoia, Ederio Dino
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution
Catalysis
Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts
Degradation
Earth and Environmental Science
Efficiency
Electric fields
Electrochemistry
Electrodes
Environment
Environmental monitoring
Free radicals
Hazardous materials
Hydrogeology
Hydroxyl radicals
Industrial effluents
Industrial wastewater
Organic compounds
Organic contaminants
Oxidation
Phenol
Phenolic compounds
Phenols
Photocatalysis
Photodegradation
Semiconductors
Soil Science & Conservation
Studies
Thin films
Titanium
Titanium dioxide
Toxicity
Ultraviolet radiation
Wastewater
Wastewater treatment
Water Quality/Water Pollution
Water treatment
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Summary:Electrochemical processes in industrial effluents have been studied as a means to obtain higher efficiency in wastewater treatment. Heterogeneous photocatalysis appears as a low-cost alternative through the use of lower wattage lamps and thermal TiO 2 films. Photocatalysis became a clean process for water treatment due to hydroxyl radicals generated on semiconductor surface. Such radicals are able to degrade several organic compounds. This study used different electrodes and analytical methods for degradation of phenol molecules to reduce treatment costs, improve efficiency, and identify compounds formed during the decomposition of phenolic molecules. Thermal growth of TiO 2 film was observed on the titanium electrode in rutile form. Application of an electrical potential on the Ti/TiO 2 working electrode increases efficiency in reducing concentration of phenol after photocatalytic treatment. Still, high energy radiation (UVC) showed best degradation rates in photolytic process. Different compounds formed during the degradation of phenol were also identified in the UVC–PE treatment.
ISSN:0049-6979
1573-2932
DOI:10.1007/s11270-012-1140-6