Photocatalysis is a process that utilizes light to create electron-hole pairs within the photocatalyst that then have the ability to drive redox reactions.  Previous research has shown that TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles embedded in a porous poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) film have been effective in photocatalytic reactor systems for the removal of various aqueous contaminants.  The photocatalytic oxidation of aqueous cyanide is dramatically faster at elevated pH (pH  &gt; 11) than it is in a neutral solution.  This increased photocatalytic activity is retained by the composite even after the solution pH is returned to neutral.  This project investigates this intriguing pH-dependence.  Understanding the mechanism whereby an elevated pH has long-term effects on the photocatalytic degradation of cyanide would be valuable in the development of photocatalytic reactor systems for the purification of drinking water.<br/>

Effect of pH on the photocatalytic activity of PMMA-titania composite materials

255th National Meeting (2018)

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