'super-bubble' electro-photo hybrid catalytic system for advanced treatment of organic wastewater

Abstract

The systems and methods for wastewater treatment comprise a porous substrate with photocatalytic material(s), and optionally electrocatalytic material(s), for generation of hydroxyl radicals that decompose contaminants in wastewater. The systems and methods intentionally facilitate the photocatalytic and/or electrocatalytic generation of oxygen bubbles, which facilitate an increase in concentration of hydroxyl radicals and shrink the liquid layer of wastewater at photocatalytic and/or electrocatalytic surfaces where hydroxyl radicals are generated in order to decrease quenching of hydroxyl radicals and simultaneously increase utilization or efficiency of the hydroxyl radicals for decomposition of contaminants. In embodiments, the systems and methods prolong hydroxyl radical lifetime and enhance water treatment performance for residential, commercial, municipal, medical, and/or industrial applications. In embodiments, oxygen bubbles generated on surfaces are compressed into pores or microchannels where they store generated hydroxyl radicals to prolong their lifetime in the gas phase and exchange hydroxyl radicals with the adjacent liquid layer.