The heterogenic photocatalysis in water treatment processes

The paper has considered the mechanism and main regularities of oxidizing destruction of organic compounds on semi-conductor photocatalysts (predominantly TiO2). The paper discusses the impact of physicochemical factors (concentration and nature of a photocatalyst and a substrate, the pH and medium oxidation-reduction potential, oxidants, etc.) on the decomposition kinetics of pollutants. The paper has analyzed the methods of raising the efficiency of the destruction process by surface and volumetric modification of photocatalysts with noble and other metals, metal oxides, their immobilization on various carriers, etc. It has been shown that the development of highly efficient and low-power-capacity methods of water purification of toxic organic compounds based on heterogenic photocatalytic system in question with the use of oxidants (O2, O3, H2O2, etc.) is a promising area in the ecology of the hydrosphere. © 2007 Allerton Press, Inc.