Design of a TiO₂ Coated Film in a Batch Reactor: Nanoparticle Film Synthesis and Optimization for Contaminant Degradation and Modeling

Abstract

Treatment of water-polluting contaminants needs significant improvement to enable the designing of a photocatalytic reactor. This work involves a TiO 2 coated catalyst film in a batch reactor, formed by dip coating on a quartz tube's external surface, highlighting the synthesis and performance of the TiO 2 nanoparticle film. Film optimization was achieved by carrying out one to three coatings on the substrate, using different titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) (TiO 2 precursor) concentrations in isopropanol solvent (volume-by-volume ratio). Photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (an indicator dye) was maximum for the sample 5:100 (v/v) (having 460 nm thickness with one dip-coat), giving the highest turnover frequency of 0.342 mol/mol h −1 among all samples. Simultaneously, diffusivity and intrinsic rate constant of the dye through the film were calculated by developing a mathematical model of diffusion and reaction. Such an experimentally validated model can provide insight into the role of composition, film thickness, and other parameters for the most effective degradation of other contaminants too.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Performance of ZnFe2O4-g-C3N4 Composites for Tetracycline Removal from Contaminated Water

“…Some of these contaminants have stable structures, are highly carcinogenic, and are poorly removed by conventional wastewater treatment facilities, which consequently results in their disposal in freshwater bodies [4,5]. Te existing conventional wastewater treatment techniques rely majorly on physical, chemical, and biological methods [6].…”