Title: Photocatalytic reduction of chromium (VI) in aqueous solutions by nano-TiO2 thin film in rotating disc photoreactor

Authors: Jirapat Ananpattarachai; Pattaranit Paksaharn; Puangrat Kajitvichyanukul

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, Center of Excellence on Environmental Research and Innovation, Faculty of Engineering, Naresuan University, 99 Moo 9 Tambon Tha Pho, Muang, 65000, Thailand ' International Postgraduate Program in Environmental Management (Hazardous Waste Management), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand ' Department of Civil Engineering, Center of Excellence on Environmental Research and Innovation, Faculty of Engineering, Naresuan University, 99 Moo 9 Tambon Tha Pho, Muang, 65000, Thailand

Abstract: A new photocatalytic reactor design for water treatment was characterised by the use of rotating disc photocatalytic reactor. In this study, TiO2 was immobilised on stainless steel disc by sol-gel method. Experiments in a reactor containing 20 rotating disc with UV light irradiation at the wavelength of 380 nm were performed. The effect of the wastewater flow rate and rotating disc speed on photocatalytic reduction of chromium(VI) over TiO2/stainless steel disc was determined. The chromium(VI) was effectively reduced in a wide range, and the rate of photocatalytic reduction increases with an increase of rotating speed and flow rate. A thin film of liquid becomes entrained on the disc enhancing the high efficacy in chromium (VI) removal from wastewater during the rotation of the disc. The kinetics study of this photoreactor was also investigated.

Keywords: TiO2 nanoparticles; thin films; titanium dioxide; titania; chromium; photocatalytic reduction; aqueous solutions; rotating disc photoreactors; wastewater treatment; sol-gel; flow rate; rotating speed; kinetics; nanotechnology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2016.076754

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2016 Vol.17 No.2, pp.176 - 188

Received: 09 Jan 2015
Accepted: 24 Sep 2015

Published online: 26 May 2016 *

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