Photocatalytic Reduction of VOCs with Ag/Ni-Doped Photocatalyst in Different Temperature and Humidity Environments

Abstract

The photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) process is one of the most preferred, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly methods for VOC removal. It has been determined that this method can remove a wide range of organic pollutants. The removal of benzene and toluene pollutants, two important VOCs commonly encountered in flue gases, has been studied in the scope of this study using the photocatalytic oxidation method under UVA irradiation. For this purpose, the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst increased by the metal/metal doping process. Two different metals, a noble metal (Ag) and a transition metal (Ni), were used together for the doping of TiO2 nanoparticles, and the photocatalysts attached to a glass surface were prepared. Four different doping percentages were used for photocatalysts: 0.5%, 1%, 2.5%, and 5%. Several PCO experiments were conducted under different temperatures (120, 150, and 180 °C) and humidity conditions (25 and 50%). Photocatalytic oxidation experiments were carried out with artificially produced benzene and toluene gases, and the success of the system was evaluated with respect to removal efficiency calculations. The UVA light source was used for the photocatalytic experiments. The results of the study indicated that the removal efficiencies of toluene were found to be higher than those of benzene, and the most suitable conditions were determined to be 50% humidity and a 120 °C environment with the use of a 1% doped photocatalyst.