Construction of Superhydrophilic/Superhydrophobic Composite Photocatalysts for Efficient Gas-Liquid-Solid Three-Phase Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Mercaptan
Photocatalytic oxidation technology holds considerable promise for effectively removing volatile organic compounds. However, conventional gas-solid photocatalytic technology is hindered by limitations, notably a low mineralization rate. This study introduces an innovative gas-liquid-solid photocatalytic oxidation system that utilizes a superhydrophilic/superhydrophobic photocatalyst for the efficient removal of methyl mercaptan. By synthesizing superhydrophobic Cu-doped UiO-66 and combining with TiO2, the resulting OCUN/T photocatalysts was thoroughly chatacterized and tested under various conditions. The system consistently maintains a high removal rate (exceeding 77.5%) and a substantial mineralization rate of methyl mercaptan over 10 hours operation. Remarkably, the removal efficiency of methyl mercaptan can reach up to 70.14% at sunlight intensities exceeding 35×1000 lm. Additionally, a detailed mechanism for the degradation of methyl mercaptan via the gas-liquid-solid photocatalytic oxidation system is proposed, presenting a novel and cost-effective method for the VOCs removal.