Intimate Coupling of Photocatalysis and Biodegradation for Degrading Phenol Using Different Light Types: Visible Light vs UV Light

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b00989
• Publication Date: 2015-06-15T20:40:06Z
• Authors: Dandan Zhou; Zhengxue Xu; Shanshan Dong; Mingxin Huo; Shuangshi Dong; Xiadi Tian; Bin Cui; Houfeng Xiong; Tingting Li; Dongmei Ma
• Keywords: Visible spectrum

Intimate coupling of photocatalysis and biodegradation (ICPB) technology is attractive for phenolic wastewater treatment, but has only been investigated using UV light (called UPCB). We examined the intimate visible-light-induced (VPCB) first time. Our catalyst was prepared doping both Er3+ YAlO3 into TiO2 which were supported on macroporous carriers. The carriers used to support biofilms as well. 99.8% removal efficiency phenol achieved in VPCB, this 32.6% higher than that UPCB. Mineralization capability UPCB even worse, due less adsorbable intermediates cell lysis induced soluble microbial products release. lower degradation serious detachment biofilms, then microbes responsible insufficient disinfection by irradiation. In contrast, communities well protected under visible irradiation extracellular polymeric substances secretion enhanced. Thus, we found photocatalytic reaction intimately coupled resulting 64.0% dissolved organic carbon. Therefore, some advantages over ICPB technology.