Simultaneous Evaporation and Decontamination of Water On a Novel Membrane Under Simulated Solar Light Irradiation

Authors

Zhao Gao, Hohai University
Hanpei Yang, Hohai UniversityFollow
Jingwei Li, Hohai University
Lina Wang, Hohai University
Junming Wu, Hohai University
Song Guo, University of Southern MississippiFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-15-2020

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

School

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Abstract

Construction of semiconductor-based membranes accommodates new routes for photothermal conversion and in-situ decomposing of pollutants in solar light-driven evaporation. In this work, a novel photocatalyst composed of MoO_3-x, BiOCl, and carbon nanotubes was surficial deposited on cellulose acetate membrane. High capillary pressure (∼600 kPa) guaranteed an effective capillary rise of water from hydrophilic membrane matrix. The water was extruded into ultra-fine droplets with a saturation vapor pressure as high as ∼1.75 × 10⁵ Pa and a heat flux as much as ∼2.11 × 10⁻³ W mm⁻². Moreover, the top-surficial film can harvest sufficient solar photons to generate charge carries, and the surface temperature of membrane can quickly increase to higher than 50 °C by thermalization through carriers relaxation, transference, and recombination on specific sites. Simultaneously, pollutants in water are efficiently decomposed by effectively separated charge carriers on designed spots. Synergistically, a steam generation rate of ∼7.75 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ was acquired and an almost complete removal of RhB and toluene was achieved.

Publication Title

Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

Volume

267

Recommended Citation

Gao, Z., Yang, H., Li, J., Wang, L., Wu, J., Guo, S. (2020). Simultaneous Evaporation and Decontamination of Water On a Novel Membrane Under Simulated Solar Light Irradiation. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 267.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/17133