METHODS FOR REMOVING CONTAMINANTS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS USING PHOTOELECTROCATALYTIC OXIDIZATION

摘要

A photoelectrocatalytic oxidizing device having a photoanode being constructed from a conducting metal such as Ti as the support electrode. Alternatively, the photoanode is a composite electrode comprising a conducting metal such as Ti as the support electrode coated with a thin film of sintered nanoporous TiO2. The device is useful in methods for treating an aqueous solution such as groundwater, wastewater, drinking water, ballast water, aquarium water, and aquaculture water to reduce amounts of a contaminant. The method being directed at reducing the amount and concentration of contaminants in an aqueous solution comprising providing an aqueous solution comprising at least one contaminant, and, photoelectrocatalytically oxidizing the contaminant, wherein the contaminant is oxidized by a free radical produced by a photoanode constructed from an anatase polymorph of Ti, a rutile polymorph of Ti, or a nanoporous film of TiO2.

主权项

1. A method of treating an aqueous solution to reduce amounts of a contaminant, the method comprising:
providing in a closed system an aqueous solution comprising at least one contaminant selected from the group consisting of an organism, an organic chemical, a non-nitrogen inorganic chemical, and combinations thereof; providing a housing member having an inlet and an outlet, the housing member adapted to house a photoanode and a cathode, the housing member further comprising a transparent member adapted to permit light from a light source to irradiate the photoanode; and exposing the aqueous solution to photoelectrocatalytic oxidization, wherein one or more contaminant is oxidized by a free radical produced by the photoanode, wherein the photoanode comprises a solid nanoporous film member having a median pore diameter in the range of 0.1 nm to 500 nm constructed from titanium dioxide nanoparticles.