Photocatalytic Degradation of Trichloroethylene in Water by Using Thin-film TiO₂ Prepared by Sol-gel Process

Abstract

Trichloroetylene in water was degraded photocatalytically by using thin-film TiO₂. The photocatalyst of the thin-film TiO₂ was prepared on the surface of quartz tubes by means of sol-gel process. The degradation reaction was studied by using the thin-film TiO₂ prepared under the different condition of the calcination temperatures. The blacklight fluorescent lamp and the low pressure mercury lamp were used for the illumination. Under the illumination of the blacklight fluorescent lamp, the TiO₂ of anatase accelerated the decomposition reaction rates about two times as fast as the TiO₂ of rutile. Under the illumination of the low pressure mercury lamp, the decomposition reaction of trichloroetylene proceeded without the photocatalyst and the addition of the TiO₂ of anatase accelerated the reaction a little further. No product of the degradation reaction was detected except CO₂ and HCl. The life of the thin-film TiO₂ photocatalyst was tested for six months intermittently and it was confirmed that the photocatalytic activity did not change during the experimental period.