PHOTODEGRADATION OF TOLUENE AT VISIBLE LIGHT IRRADIATION USING CUO-DOPED PHOTOCATALYST.

The photocatalytic activity of copper oxide (CuO) and C, N, and S-tri-doped TiO2 photocatalysts (Cu/TiNxSyO2-x-yCz, Cu/TNST) and their applications on photodegradation of volatile organic compounds were investigated, taking toluene as a model compound and irradiation of different light sources (visible light lamp (VLL), white light-emitting-diode, and red-light emitting-diode). The metal and non-metal co-doped catalysts were synthesized and the comparisons with different loading percentages (2, 5, 10, and 12%) of copper on TNST were tested. From the analysis of the photoelectrochemical characteristics, the maximum power (Pmax) was 1.38 pW at 5 Cu/TNST solar cell (Cu/TNSSC) with VLL. Furthermore, the maximum degradation efficiency (q) of toluene appeared also at 5 Cu/TNST as well as at VLL light irradiation. The pseudo-first-order rate constant (kobs) of 2, 5, 10, and 12 Cu/TNST were 0.0172, 0.0726, 0.0264, and 0.0076 min-1, respectively. Langmuir-Hinshelwood model (L-H model) was then evaluated and simulated for the different initial concentrations with the highest efficiency catalyst of 5Cu/TNST. The reaction rate constant (k) and adsorption equilibrium constant (KL) of 5Cu/TNST under VLL irradiation were 0.7307 and 0.0474 ppmv-1, respectively. The addressed kinetic models could simulate the system behavior appropriately and the L-H model obtained in this study can be used in the design of photocatalytic reactors for air pollution control and energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]