Photoelectrocatalytic oxidation is an alternative free radical-based technology that synergizes benefits from photocatalytic and electrocatalytic treatments. Lab-scale experiments demonstrate that the application of a bias-potential enhances degradation performance due to the stabilization of charge carriers. Photoelectrocatalytic synergistic degradation attains up to 10-fold faster kinetic rates than simple electrocatalytic or heterogeneous photocatalytic reactions. However, several engineering challenges arise when designing photoelectrocatalytic reactors to meet simultaneously needs of electrochemical and photocatalytic processes. Common approaches considered electrochemical cells external irradiation of transparent photoanodes, which unfortunately present low stabilities and wear off coatings during treatment. These designs are not applicable when using more stable TiO<sub>2</sub> nanotube plates on Ti supports. In this work, we present an alternative design that combines the best of both worlds in a scaled-up reactor to treat 1 L of polluted effluent. Combined monopolar parallel disc electrodes were configured perpendicular to a light source inserted through the center of the electrode disks. This design allowed light delivery while ensuring electrical current distribution. Complete photoelectrocatalytic abatement of acetaminophen (Tylenol) under 8 V of cell potential was attained with a 2-fold and 50-fold increase on the pseudo-first order kinetic removal respect to photocatalytic and electrocatalytic degradation under identical conditions.<br/>

Reconciling light delivery with photoelectrocatalytic reactors for water treatment

2019 Fall National Meeting

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