Abstract:
Photocatalytic mineralization of recalcitrant contaminants such as phenol requires hydroxyl radicals (·OH) for ring-opening reactions. Here, we weaken the adsorption of oxygen species on TiO
2 surface by Al doping, which can effectively promote the photoinduced ·OH generation. Besides, Al doping can downshift the conduction band of TiO
2. The resulted potential barrier lowering can promote semiconductor-cocatalyst interfacial electron transfer for the reduction half-reaction. Due to the strong correlation between positive and negative charges, the rapid transfer of electrons in the reduction half-reaction can also increase the concentration of holes in the semiconductor and promote the generation of ·OH. By immobilizing the photocatalyst on the light-incident inner wall of the reactor, it can avoid the competitive light absorption by the contaminant. By these virtues, efficient photocatalytic mineralization of low-concentration phenol in wastewater can be realized.