Graphite-Supported TiO2 for 4-Nitrophenol Degradation in a Photoelectrocatalytic Reactor
- Autori: Palmisano, G; Loddo, V; El Nazer, H; Yurdakal, S; Augugliaro, V; Ciriminna, R; Pagliaro, M
- Anno di pubblicazione: 2009
- Tipologia: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/52950
Abstract
Amorphous TiO2, prepared at room temperature through a sol-gel method implementing hydrolysis of TiCl4, has been supported on graphite rods and then annealed at 673 K. In this way graphite was completely covered by a porous anatase TiO2 layer, with an external thickness of about 1 μm, with graphite pores completely filled by the semiconductor particles. The obtained electrode was structurally characterized by SEM microscopy coupled to EDAX mapping and by Raman spectroscopy. A Pyrex annular reactor was designed in order to test the prepared electrodes for the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol, a target pollutant dissolved in aqueous conductive solution. The continuous reactor worked in total recirculation mode and the degradation runs were carried out by applying near UV-light, bias or both energy sources. The influence of flow rate, initial 4-nitrophenol concentration and applied potential on the degradation rate was studied.