Applied studies on immobilized titanium dioxide films as catalysts for the photoelectrochemical detoxification of water

• Published in: Journal of applied electrochemistry Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 385 - 395
• Main Authors: BUTTERFIELD, I. M, CHRISTENSEN, P. A, HAMNETT, A, SHAW, K. E, WALKER, G. M, WALKER, S. A, HOWARTH, C. R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01-04-1997
• Subjects: Chemistry; Electrochemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Kinetics and mechanism of reactions; Titanium IV Oxides; Photoelectrochemical reaction; Electrode production; Falling film; Experimental study; Electrodes; Preparative scale; N type semiconductor; Sol gel process; Phenols; Chemical decomposition; Waste water purification; Organic compounds
• ISSN: 0021-891X; 1572-8838
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1018453402332

Preliminary results are presented on the photochemical and photoelectrochemical degradation of aqueous organic solutions by anodic, thermal and sol-gel TiO sub(2) films. The films were tested in a photochemical falling film reactor, and a photochemical/photoelectrochemical vortex reactor, and preliminary results are presented on the degradation of a range of model organics using these reactors. The former showed the best mass transport characteristics and most efficient light usage, whilst the latter reactor clearly showed the efficacy of the electric field enhancement effect. The results on the vortex reactor effectively represent a proof-of-concept of the electric field enhancement approach in large scale photoelectrochemical reactors. From time to time it is necessary to recoat the substrates, and the importance of the procedure adopted to remove "old" TiO sub(2) films prior to the fabrication of "new" films is highlighted, as well as the mode of operation of the sol-gel films, and problems encountered in reactor design.