Intensification of Dihydroxybenzenes Degradation over Immobilized TiO2 Based Photocatalysts under Simulated Solar Light

Szymon Malinowski,Ivan Brnardić,Igor Jajčinović,Ivana Presečki,Vilko Mandić,Ivana Grčić

doi:10.3390/app10217571

Szymon Malinowski, Ivan Brnardić + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/app10217571

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Abstract

The work is focused on the assessment of possible methods for intensification of photocatalytic degradation of common water borne pollutants. Solar photocatalysis poses certain limitations for large scale application with several possible reactor designs which have shown an optimal performance. In the current study, a comparison between two types of pilot scale reactors was made: a flat-plate cascade reactor (FPCR) and tubular reactor with a compound parabolic collector (CPC). Apart from the reactor design, another aspect of possible intensification was a photocatalyst formulation. The efficiency of photocatalytic films that consisted of pure TiO2 nanoparticles was compared to the efficiency of films that consisted of TiO2/CNT composites. Intensification assessment was performed via detailed kinetic modelling, combining the optical properties of films, irradiation conditions and reactor mass balance. Intensification was expressed via intensification indices. Results showed the advantage of the CPC-based reactor design and an unbiased effect of sensitizing agent (CNT) in the photocatalytic film formulation.

Highlights

Industry development is mainly responsible for the introduction of a large volume of wastewater containing phenols into the environment
The existence and co-existence of dihydroxybenzene isomers in nature is a serious hazard to biological systems and the ecological environment [8]
Dihydroxybenzene isomers can enter the human body through mucous membranes, skin [9] and the gastrointestinal tract [10] causing poisoning symptoms and sometimes headache, pale, dizziness, tiredness or even liver and kidney function damage [9]

Summary

Introduction

Industry development is mainly responsible for the introduction of a large volume of wastewater containing phenols into the environment. The dihydroxybenzene isomers—i.e., catechol (CT), hydroquinone (HQ) and resorcinol (RS)—are common phenol-based compounds. These compounds are characterized by similar physicochemical properties and different locations of the two hydroxyl. Dihydroxybenzene isomers can enter the human body through mucous membranes, skin [9] and the gastrointestinal tract [10] causing poisoning symptoms and sometimes headache, pale, dizziness, tiredness or even liver and kidney function damage [9]. A combination of their capacity accumulation in the environment [12]; low degradability level; and high toxicity for humans, animals and plants caused CT, HQ and RS to be considered as important environmental pollutants by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European

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