LED-driven photocatalytic oxidation technology for water purification

摘要：这一跨学科项目旨在为饮用水的处理以及天然有机物和其他有机物的有效处理提供一种安全可靠的技术。为了实现这一目标，发光二极管(LED)将与光催化氧化技术相结合。苏格兰水务公司在整个留学期间提供的科学投入和资金支持将确保该项目的可行性和有效性。背景：天然有机物(NOM)存在于水中，是一种复杂的有机化合物基质，化学性质和浓度各不相同[1]。这些化合物可能来自动植物物质的腐烂。NOM的主要问题是它可以促进消毒副产物(DBPs)和致癌三卤甲烷(THMs)的形成[2]。此外，它还会影响水的质量，如气味、味道和颜色。苏格兰水务公司最近证明，迫切需要找到一种合适的处理技术来降低苏格兰水源水中的高有机含量，如NOM[3]。近几年的研究证明，光催化氧化技术可以有效地净化富含有机物的水体，去除有机物。光催化是基于利用光和催化剂将污染物氧化成安全的最终产品。然而，由于使用人工辐射，其对能源的高需求是阻碍其在水处理中更广泛应用的主要技术障碍。该项目的独特设计是为了克服这一障碍，通过使用节能和低成本的LED，在最先进的基础上取得重大的技术进步。我们在LED光催化[4]和光催化材料[5]方面的最新发现将进一步推进，以满足饮用水处理的质量标准。目标：提供一种新的强大的LED净水技术，能够作为一种抛光处理方法，并降低水中的有机含量。

Abstract: This interdisciplinary project aims to provide a safe and reliable technology for the treatment of drinking water as well as the effective treatment of natural organic matter and other organic substances. To achieve this, light emitting diodes (LEDs) will be combined with photocatalytic oxidation technology. Scientific input and financial support from Scottish Water during the whole duration of the studentship will safeguard the feasibility and effectiveness of the project.Background: Natural organic matter (NOM), found in water, is a complex matrix of organic compounds that vary in chemical properties and concentrations [1]. These compounds can come from decay of plant and animal matter. The main issue with NOM is that it can contribute to disinfection by-products (DBPs) and the formation of carcinogenic trihalomethanes (THMs) [2]. Also, it affects the quality of water like odour, taste and colour. Scottish Water has recently demonstrated that there is a pressing need to find a suitable treatment technology to reduce the high organic content, such as NOM, of source waters in Scotland [3]. Over the last few years, research has proven that photocatalytic oxidation technology can effectively clean waters rich in organic substances and remove NOM. Photocatalysis is based on the use of light and a catalyst to oxidize pollutants to safe final products. Nevertheless, its high energy demand, due to the use of artificial irradiation, is a major technical barrier impeding its wider application for water treatment. This project is uniquely designed to overcome this barrier and make significant technological steps beyond the state-of-the-art by using energy and cost-efficient LEDs. Our recent discoveries in LED photocatalysis [4] and photocatalytic materials [5] will be further advanced to meet the quality standards for drinking water treatment.Objectives: To deliver a new robust LED technology for water purification able to serve as a polishing treatment method and reduce organic content in waters.