The Pathway towards Photoelectrocatalytic Water Disinfection: Review and Prospects of a Powerful Sustainable Tool

Catalysts

Omotayo A. Arotiba¹  Sergi Garcia-Segura²  Enric Brillas³ 

[1] Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa;Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-3005, USA;Secció de Química Física, Facultat de Química, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;

关键词: photoelectrocatalysis;    drinking water treatment;    decentralized disinfection;    photocatalyisis;    electrochemical advanced oxidation process;    UV light and sunlight;   

DOI  :  10.3390/catal11080921

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Photoelectrocatalysis is a hybrid photon/electron-driven process that benefits from the synergistic effects of both processes to enhance and stabilize the generation of disinfecting oxidants. Photoelectrocatalysis is an easy to operate technology that can be scaled-up or scaled-down for various water treatment applications as low-cost decentralized systems. This review article describes the fundamentals of photoelectrocatalysis, applied to water disinfection to ensure access to clean water for all as a sustainable development goal. Advances in reactor engineering design that integrate light-delivery and electrochemical system requirements are presented, with a description of photo-electrode material advances, including doping, nano-decoration, and nanostructure control. Disinfection and cell inactivation are described using different model microorganisms such as E. coli, Mycobacteria, Legionella, etc., as well the fungus Candida parapsilosis, with relevant figures of merit. The key advances in the elucidation of bacterial inactivation mechanisms by photoelectrocatalytic treatments are presented and knowledge gaps identified. Finally, prospects and further research needs are outlined, to define the pathway towards the future of photoelectrocatalytic disinfection technologies.

【 授权许可】

Unknown