Synergistic Effect of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma and TiO2-Pillared Montmorillonite on the Degradation of Rhodamine B in an Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Photocatalytic, plasma and combined plasma–photocatalytic processes were applied for the destruction of a model pollutant, Rhodamine B dye, in an aqueous solution (concentration of 40 mg/L). For this purpose TiO2-pillared montmorillonite was used as a photocatalyst (characterized by X-ray analysis and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption). It was prepared by the method of intercalation of titanium hydroxocomplexes, including hydrothermal activation of the process and preliminary mechanical treatment of the layered substrate. The dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma in the presence of photocatalysts increases the efficiency of dye degradation (100%, 8 s) compared to plasmolysis (94%) and UV photolysis (92%, 100 min of UV irradiation); in contrast to photolysis, destructive processes are more profound and lead to the formation of simple organic compounds such as carboxylic acids. The plasma–catalytic method enhances by 20% the energetic efficiency of the destruction of Rhodamine B compared to DBD plasma. The efficiency of dye destruction with the plasma–catalytic method increases with the improvement of the textural properties of the photocatalyst.

Enhancement of the Plant Grafting Technique with Dielectric Barrier Discharge Cold Atmospheric Plasma and Plasma-Treated Solution

“…Deferent plasma generation methods and setups have been presented and have also shown that plasma-treated solutions can be used along with CAP sources for “indirect” treatment [ 46 , 47 ]. The influence of plasma treatment on DNA damage, gene expression, enzymatic activity, morphological and chemical changes, germination, and resistance to stress is under research [ 48 , 49 , 50 ]. Many papers have reported promising results in this wide variety of applications [ 51 , 52 ].…”

Removal of chemical and microbial water pollutants by cold plasma combined with Ag/TiO2-rGO nanoparticles

“…We have recently evaluated the efficacy of CAP in the removal of both chemical and microbial pollutants in water 2 . However, further enhancement of the water purification efficacy of CAP can be achieved by the synergistic action of plasma and photocatalytic processes which can also reduce the energy cost 3 – 5 .…”

“…A heterogeneous photo-oxidation process effectively using TiO 2 for removal of organic water pollutants 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 and disinfection 5 , 7 was reported. Mainly, TiO 2 is inexpensive and has been combined with plasma because it has a strong oxidation power, a reasonable bandgap, nontoxicity, and stability against photo- and chemical-corrosions 8 .…”

Editorial Catalysts: Special Issue on Recent Advances in TiO2 Photocatalysts

“…Butman's group demonstrated the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B using two forms of TiO 2 , namely, biomorphic fibrous TiO 2 ([21]) and TiO 2 -pillared montmorillonite ( [22]) under UVA irradiation. TiO 2 fibers (calcined 600 • C with a ratio of anatase:rutile of 40:60) led to the complete degradation of Rhodamine B after 20 min of treatment.…”

“…Moreover, SiO 2 -TiO 2 -coated catalysts could be reused [21]. In the experiments with a TiO 2 -pillared catalyst that was hydrothermally treated and activated, complete removal was obtained after almost 2 h, whereas dielectric barrier discharge plasma in the presence of photocatalysts was used and complete degradation was achieved after only 8 s [22]. Methylene blue degradation was investigated in the presence of polyaniline-wrapped, manganese-doped titanium oxide (PANi/Mn-TiO 2 ) [16] as well as Au-Ag co-decorated TiO 2 (Au x Ag (1−x) /TiO 2 ) [15] under visible light.…”