Coupled Light Capture and Lattice Boltzmann Model of TiO2 Micropillar Array for Water Purification

Abstract

TiO2 has been widely studied as a photocatalytic material due to its non-toxicity, chemical inertness, and high photocatalytic activity. Here, we explore the operational behavior of a novel TiO2 micropillars array being developed to use solar radiation to treat recycled wastewater in long-duration space missions. A Light Capture model was developed to model light absorption. The Lattice Boltzmann method was used to simulate water flow, and the finite element method was used to model waste mass transfer.

Improving Photocatalytic Performance Using Nanopillars and Micropillars

“…As UV light enters the material, electron–hole pairs are photogenerated to interact in redox reactions at the surface of the catalyst [ 6 ]. The electron–hole pairs can dissociate into hydrogen and hydroxyl radicals, which are then used for the decomposition of pollutant levels in water [ 7 ].…”