ZnO NRs/rGO Photocatalyst in a Polymer-Based Microfluidic Platform

Abstract

This paper reports the development of ZnO NRs/rGO-based photocatalysts integrated into a tree-branched polymer-based microfluidic reactor for efficient photodegradation of water contaminants. The reactor system includes a photocatalytic reactor, tree-branched microfluidic channels, and ZnO nanorods (NRs) coated with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on a glass substrate within an area of 0.6 × 0.6 cm2. The ZnO NRs/rGO acts as a photocatalyst layer grown hydrothermally and then spray-coated with rGO. The microfluidic system is made of PDMS and fabricated using soft lithography (micro molding using SU-8 master mold patterned on a silicon wafer). The device geometry is designed using AutoCAD software and the flow properties of the microfluidics are simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics. The microfluidic platform’s photocatalytic process aims to bring the nanostructured photocatalyst into very close proximity to the water flow channel, reducing the interaction time and providing effective purification performance. Our functionality test showed that a degradation efficiency of 23.12 %, within the effective residence time of less than 3 s was obtained.

Unprecedented Approach of Fabrication and Analysis of a Bioactive PDMS/Hydroxyapatite/Graphene Nanocomposite Scaffold with a Vascular Channel to Combat Carcinogenesis

“…Based on this simulation study, as the flow rate varies with respect to velocity, the pressure drop in the fluid flow system depends on the resistance to flow. Finally, it has been found from eqs and that the flow rate and effective residence time became 1.75 × 10 –6 m 3 /s and 0.033 s, respectively . The purpose of this fluid flow impacts the growth and behavior of cells within a biological or bioprocess system.…”

“…The flow rate ( Q ) for the rectangular channel and effective residence time ( t R ) were calculated using eqs and where v is the fluid velocity and A is the cross-sectional area of the microfluidic flow. …”

“…Finally, it has been found from eqs 8 and 9 that the flow rate and effective residence time became 1.75 × 10 −6 m 3 /s and 0.033 s, respectively. 67 The purpose of this fluid flow impacts the growth and behavior of cells within a biological or bioprocess system. This type of analysis is often relevant in fields such as tissue engineering, bioprocessing, and bioreactor design.…”

Photocatalytic activity enhancement of nanostructured metal-oxides photocatalyst: a review

“…Current research implementing a microfluidic platform has shown that higher degradation of dye using photocatalysts can be achieved, as the nanostructured photocatalyst is brought into very close proximity to the water flow channel [154].…”