CAJ | 학술논문

A batch fixed bed photoreactor, using felt-form activated carbon fibers (ACF) supported TiO2 photocatalyst(TiO2/ACF), was developed to carry out photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) solution. The effects of TiO2 particle size, loaded TiO2 amount, initial MB concentration, airflow rate and successive run on the decomposition rate were investigated. The results showed that photodegradation process followed a pseudo-first-order reaction kinetic law. The apparent first-order reaction constant kapp was larger than 0.047 min-1 with half reaction time t1/2 shorter than 15 min, which was comparable to reported data using suspended Degussa P-25 TiO2 particles. The high degradation rate was mainly attributed to adsorption of MB molecules onto the surface of TiO2/ACF. The photocatalytic efficiency still remained nearly 90% after 12 successive runs, showing that successive usage of the designed photoreactor was possible. The synergic enhancement effect in combination of adsorption with ACF and photodegradation with TiO2 was proved by comparing MB removal rates in the successive degradation and adsorption runs, respectively.