Modular stand-alone photoelectrocatalytic reactor for emergent contaminant degradation via solar radiation

Abstract

The development of new materials and prototypes with a sustainable approach to allow an efficient removal from water sources of emergent contaminants, such as drugs and antibiotics, currently represents the next challenging task in the water decontamination field. A modular photoelectrocatalytic reactor composed by single-element devices is here presented. Each single device is a stand-alone system based on a photoelectrochemical cell, which is composed by a WO3 photoanode integrated in a tandem cell configuration with photovoltaic solar cells. Outstanding abatement results of different emerging contaminants (Atenolol, Carbamazepine, and Levofloxacin) in aqueous solution were obtained through photoelectrochemical degradation tests using the single stand-alone device. In addition, 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde was selected as representative of natural organic matter, usually present in a real matrix. Herein, it has been proved that the system performance was optimal also for complex mixtures.