Photocatalytic Fuel Cell Using TiO₂/ZnO/Zn Photoanode for Greywater and Bacteria Abatements with Power Generation Concomitantly

Abstract:

Recycling of optional water source especially greywater and energy recovery from effluent is garnering impetus owing to clean water scarcity and energy crisis. In current work, photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) utilizing a TiO₂/ZnO/Zn photoanode and a CuO/Cu photocathode was developed for efficient greywater treatment and power generation. The photoelectrodes were measured by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Using 2 layers of TiO₂/ZnO on Zn film, chemical oxidation demand (COD) removal efficiency had achieved 73% in the UV light-activated PFC system. The electrical generation was concomitantly found, in which the open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-current density (Jsc) and maximum power density (Pmax) were 634 mV, 0.1612 mA cm^-2 and 0.0257 mW cm^-2, respectively. The PFC has also revealed high antibacterial activity towards and Escherichia coli (E. coli), highlighting its potential photocatalytic and antibacterial properties for greywater reused and clean energy production.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 821)
• Pages: 366-371
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.821.366
• Online since: September 2019
• Authors: Sze Mun Lam*, Joo Kheng Ooi, Ming Wei Kee, Jin Chung Sin
• Keywords: Bacteria, Electricity, Greywater, Photocatalytic Fuel Cell, TiO₂/ZnO

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