Abstract:
We reported the simultaneous decolorization of
tartrazine and H2 production via electrocoagulation and
photocatalysis using CuO-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays
(TNTA) composites. Tartrazine was removed by the
combination of adsorption, electrocoagulation, and
photocatalytic degradation, while H2 was produced
through water reduction at the cathode and water
splitting process on the photocatalyst surface. The
photoreactor contains CuO-TNTA as a photocatalyst and
is equipped with an 80-W UV lamp. Deposition of CuO on
TNTA was conducted using a successive ionic layer
adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The nanotubular
of the TNTA as well as the distribution of CuO were
evaluated employing FESEM and HRTEM. XRD patterns
confirmed weak diffraction of CuO and TNTA revealing an
anatase crystallite phase. The band gap of the CuO-TNTA
was also found to be redshifted from that of pure TNTA.
The simultaneous processes with the combined systems
(20 V, pH = 11) managed to remove 80% of tartrazine
while producing a high H2 yield (1.84 mmol), significantly
higher than those obtained by each process.
