WATER-PURIFICATION BY SEMICONDUCTOR PHOTOCATALYSIS

The basic principles of the photooxidative mineralization of organic pollutants by O2, sensitized by TiO2, are described. The kinetics of this process as a function of [TiO2], [organic pollutant], [O2], light intensity, temperature, pH, and the type of anion present are discussed, and a general kinetic model is presented. Standard test and demonstration systems for water purification by TiO2 photocatalysis are described and other novel applications of semiconductor photocatalysis are outlined.