Abstract
A high-frequency induction heater was used to sinter titanium dioxide thin film on stainless steel plates with the aim of being used as photo-electrodes in wastewaters treatment. To validate the use of this sintering technique, the electrodes were prepared using sol-gel and dip-coating, followed by two different annealing processes for comparison: a conventional furnace and a high-frequency induction heating. To characterize the electrodes, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical and photocatalysis tests were performed. Anatase and rutile phases were obtained for both annealing techniques. A more regular surface morphology was achieved via the induction heating (IH) treatment at 300 oC. The impedance study showed a lower resistance of IH samples, representing an improvement in the charge carrier separation and its fast transfer to the surface of the electrode. The photo-oxidation of methylene blue exhibited a higher degradation compared with the conventional furnace samples prepared in this study.
Highlights
The remission of toxic contaminants and the use of clean energy, such as the energy of the sun, for this purpose have become popular topics for many research teams
Many other factors can affect the stability of the electrode, such as substrate preparation, the inclusion of a dopant, the solvent involved in the synthesis of the electrodes, the preparation methods and the parameters of thermal decomposition [2]
This study attempted to provide the same effect without the thermal treatment
Summary
The remission of toxic contaminants and the use of clean energy, such as the energy of the sun, for this purpose have become popular topics for many research teams. The process has a high efficiency for neutralizing these toxic compounds and presents the opportunity to produce electrodes that are compatible with the environment [1]. The capability of the electrodes, chemistry process, associated cost effects and the product lifetime are related to the type of material used, and to its structure, stability, and porosity, the substrate material and shape, and the successful adhesion of the coating. These factors must be improved to reach a massive industrial application of this process. Many other factors can affect the stability of the electrode, such as substrate preparation (in particular with metallic support), the inclusion of a dopant, the solvent involved in the synthesis of the electrodes, the preparation methods and the parameters of thermal decomposition (temperature, heating rate and time) [2]
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