Xinyao Yang

Photoelectrocatalytic degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants using TiO2 film electrodes: an overview.

Photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) technology involved applying an electrical bias to a TiO(2) film electrode, has been widely applied to the degradation of refractory organic pollutants, owing to its high degradation efficiency. This paper reviews recent developments in the PEC degradation of recalcitrant organic contaminants using a TiO(2) film electrode. The preparation and application of various TiO(2) film electrodes have been investigated, as well as the parameters that influence PEC activity such as the crystal structure, the film thickness and substrate material, the applied electrical bias, the solution pH and conductivity. The improvement of PEC activity by doping the TiO(2) film electrode with metal and non-metal ions has been discussed. The mechanism and kinetics for the PEC degradation of organic pollutants have also been highlighted.

Preparation of activated carbon from edible fungi residue by microwave assisted K2CO3 activation—Application in reactive black 5 adsorption from aqueous solution

Preparation of activated carbon from the edible fungi residue (EFR) by microwave assisted K(2)CO(3) activation was studied. The optimum preparation conditions were as follows: radiation time of 16 min, K(2)CO(3)/EFR ratio of 0.8 and microwave power of 520 W. The iodine number, the amount of methylene blue adsorption and the yield of activated carbon prepared under optimum conditions were 732.74, 172.43 mg/g and 23.0%, respectively. The activated carbon was characterized by SEM, FT-IR, N(2) adsorption and pH(ZPC), and then they were used as adsorbent for removing reactive black 5 from aqueous solution. The highest removal efficiency of 100% could be achieved at the solution pH of 2.0, the adsorption efficiency descended with the increasing of pH and the optimum activated carbon dose was 8.75 g/L. The Langmuir isotherm well fit the adsorption process with the complete monolayer adsorption capacity of 19.6 mg/g and the equilibrium adsorption constant of 0.39 L/mg.