Photocatalysis (TiO2/Solar) in Water and Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have gained growing importance for the removal of organic pollutants from water. Heterogeneous photocatalysis has been rapidly expanding for water treatment. This approach has economic and sustainability advantages compared with other processes. The main advantage of this process is its capability to gain complete oxidation or mineralization of organic contaminants at conditions of near ambient temperature and pressure. This chapter aims to review the mechanism involved in this process, characteristics of semiconductor photocatalyst, difference between suspended and immobilized photocatalyst system, comparison between the use of natural sunlight and commercial lamp, also the reactor involved. Potential advantages and limitations, as well as the application of photocatalysis in water and wastewater are also discussed.