Intensification of photocatalytic processes
Special Symposium - EPIC-1: European Process Intensification Conference - 1
EPIC-1: Alternative Energy Forms & Transfer Mechanisms (AE)
Keywords: photocatalysis, process intensification, luminescence, local energy, multifunctional reactor
The use of photocatalysis in (bio)chemical processes has been shown to both increase product selectivity – due to different chemistry and low temperature, and decrease energy consumption – if free solar energy is used. Photocatalysis can be used in various processes, from selective organic synthesis, water treatment and air cleaning, to disinfection and anti-tumoral applications. However, the use of catalytic photoreactors in industry remains limited. Several designs have been proposed, but the light efficiency (ratio between emitted light flux and the light flux activating the catalyst) remains insufficient to produce an attractive technology from an economic point of view.
An innovative idea is to introduce the light source close to the catalyst using local luminescence. Immediate use of light by the catalyst exactly where it is produced would decrease the relative energy consumption, as a result of the absence of absorption by the bulk solution, inevitable if the light source and catalyst are not situated close to each other. Some recent research efforts have been reported on the milli/micro-level, such as the development of a UV microreactor and an optical fiber monolith reactor, but development of locally intertwined light emittors and catalysts on the nano-level remains a largely unexplored research area.
This paper reports on the development of a multifunctional reactor where UV electroluminescent molecules are interspersed with TiO2 nanoparticles on an inert substrate. Electrical energy is converted into light energy, which activates a catalyst in a chemical process. To achieve such an intensified reactor, various aspects need to be taken into account and several decisions have to be made: e.g., selection of the electroluminescent molecules, the catalyst, and the substrate, optimization of the emitted wavelength, construction of the electrical device, identification of the chemical reaction(s) that will serve as a reference for the evaluation of the intensification. Progress in this research approach is reported, achievements are highlighted and critical aspects are evaluated.
Presented Wednesday 19, 11:20 to 11:40, in session EPIC-1: Alternative Energy Forms & Transfer Mechanisms (AE).
