Combining Cold Plasma and TiO₂ Photocatalysis To Purify Gaseous Effluents:  A Preliminary Study Using Methanol-Contaminated Air

Abstract

Filtered air (relative humidity ) 9-10%) containing methanol was flown through a cold plasma reactor connected to a photocatalytic reactor. The results showed a synergetic effect between the two purifying technologies, which is principally attributed to plasma-generated O 3 benefiting the photocatalytic process.

Combination of photocatalysis downstream the non-thermal plasma reactor for oxidation of gas-phase toluene

“…It has unique properties including a quick response at ambient temperature, system compactness and ease of operation. On the other hand, NTP alone has disadvantages such as low energy efficiency and undesirable byproducts such as ozone [1][2][3][4], which may cause additional environmental pollution. An attempt to overcome these limitations is the combination of NTP with catalysis [5,6].…”

“…In order to enhance the photocatalysis process, external UV light was added into the plasma-activated photocatalysis system, and a novel system of plasma-synergized photocatalysis was formed [3,17,18]. Compared with the earlier system, the new system could increase the removal efficiency of VOCs.…”

Fundamentals of TiO2 Photocatalysis. Consequences for Some Environmental Applications

“…If ozone is not employed on-site for other purposes, the cost of its generation for only improving the photocatalytic rates can be prohibitive; the interest of adding it in a photocatalytic purification process will then depend on the case and regulations. Besides, in the particular situation when gaseous effluents are treated by nonthermal (or cold) plasma (which implies that the concentrations of pollutants are high enough to allow this homogeneous method to be cost-effective), the ozone formed by the plasma could appropriately be used to complete the purification in a photocatalytic reactor located behind the plasma reactor [65]. …”

Preparation of Titania on Stainless Steel by the Spray-ILGAR Technique as Active Photocatalyst under UV Light Irradiation for the Decomposition of Acetaldehyde

“…In recent years, the utilization of semiconductors has garnered widespread interest, as a means to induce and improve photocatalytic reactions. A prime example would be metal oxide semiconductor powders, which have exhibited activity when irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light, and have been widely used as photocatalysts for the degradation of pollutants [1,2]. Titania (TiO 2 ) has been widely used as a catalyst, due to its many advantageous qualities, namely optical and electronic properties, low cost, high level of photocatalytic activity, chemical stability and non-toxicity [3][4][5].…”