Removal of Toluene Using UV-Irradiated and Nonthermal Plasma–Driven Photocatalyst System

Abstract

The removal of toluene using ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated and nonthermal plasma (NTP)-driven photocatalysts system was investigated. Results indicated that the combination of photocatalyst with NTP (NTP-driven photocatalyst) had much higher toluene removal efficiency (TRE) and better photocatalyst durability, compared with UV-irradiated photocatalysis. The TRE was proportional to ozone consumption rate in the NTP-driven photocatalyst system, in which catalytic ozonation played a vital role in toluene decomposition. Its mechanism of toluene destruction differed from that of photocatalytic oxidation. The active oxygen from catalytic ozone decomposition was the dominant active species in the NTP-driven photocatalyst system.