Application of the colloidal stability of TiO2 particles for recovery and reuse in solar photocatalysis

P. Fernández-Ibáñez, J. Blanco, S. Malato, F. J. De Las Nieves

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

226 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

TiO2-catalyst suspensions work efficiently in photocatalysis for wastewater treatment. Nevertheless, once photocatalysis is complete, separation of the catalyst from solution becomes the main problem. Catalyst recovery has been enhanced through charge neutralisation and coagulation with electrolytes at lab and pilot-plant scale (40L) to evaluate the potential for its separation after photocatalytic degradation of pollutants. Zeta-potential analysis showed that the isoelectric point (IEP) of TiO2 suspensions is near pH 7. Settling rates and hydrodynamic diameter of TiO2 particles are maximum at the IEP. However, suspensions are stable at different pH. TiO2 was reused in solar photocatalysis pilot-plant (40L) for treatment of tetrachloroethylene (C2Cl4) comparing two procedures: reuse of the entire suspension after destruction of the organics without separation of the catalyst, and reuse of the catalyst after it had settled to the bottom and clear water had been removed. Photocatalytic efficiency worsens with successive runs when catalyst and water are reused without separation, whereas, when TiO2 is separated, the photocatalyst is not deactivated.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3180-3188
Number of pages9
JournalWater Research
Volume37
Issue number13
Early online date29 May 2003
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 1 Jul 2003

Keywords

  • Catalyst recovery
  • Colloids
  • Photocatalysis
  • Pollutant removal
  • Sedimentation
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Water treatment

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