We have introduced the discharge photoelectrocatalytic system, in which TiO2 thin film coating on aluminum plate is subjected simultaneously to both UV irradiation and high voltages in excess of
3000 volts. Due to high voltages O3 is generated; however, efficient removal of O3 is observed in this photoelectrocatalytic
system. In terms of the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the discharge photoelectrocatalytic
system has been applied to the removal of aromatic compounds such as benzene and
toluene. Based on the experimental data, the rates of the removal of these compounds in this system are
higher compared to either the discharge—only system (without the photocatalyst) or the photocatalyst—only system (without high voltage discharge), and the higher rates of degradation of these compounds in the
photoelectrocatalytic system are attributed to the reduced rate of electron-hole recombination in TiO2.
