Issue 1, 2022

Emerging investigator series: photocatalytic membrane reactors: fundamentals and advances in preparation and application in wastewater treatment

Abstract

Photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs) are a promising treatment technology for degradation of organic compounds discharged from wastewater treatment facilities. This review presents information about TiO2 nanoparticles, which are the widely used photocatalyst semiconductor in PMRs, and how doping can be used to make TiO2 able to absorb part of the visible spectrum. Then, many examples are presented showing PMR applications for various feedwater types ranging from dyes, oils, pharmaceuticals, and antibiotic resistant bacteria, either in simulated wastewater or water from real matrices. Although the results are dependent on the feed, photocatalyst, and type of reactor, the PMR technology can achieve removal efficiency higher than 95% for some situations. PMRs have also shown antimicrobial properties in removing 99.9% of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in one study presented. Additionally, PMRs have demonstrated antifouling properties due to their surface modification – resulting in their reuse and extended lifespan. Although photocatalytic membrane reactors can achieve quantitative removal in some feed water types, more development is needed before employing them for more widespread wastewater treatment. In this sense, the article ends with a perspective section where some possible advances in the photocatalyst and reactor design are suggested which can expand the range of PMR applications.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: photocatalytic membrane reactors: fundamentals and advances in preparation and application in wastewater treatment

Article information

Article type
Tutorial Review
Submitted
16 heinä 2021
Accepted
02 loka 2021
First published
07 loka 2021

Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 22-46

Emerging investigator series: photocatalytic membrane reactors: fundamentals and advances in preparation and application in wastewater treatment

A. Ashley, B. Thrope, M. R. Choudhury and A. H. Pinto, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022, 8, 22 DOI: 10.1039/D1EW00513H

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements