Photocatalytic Oxidation of Volatile Organic Compounds

Engineering Students: Molly Geoghegan (leader), Dennis Conn, Kyle Persing, Skip Sparks [all ChE majors]

Faculty Advisors: Professors David H. Chen (ChE) and Shirley G. Fischer-Drowos (Chem)

Industrial Advisor: Mr. Samuel E. Speer '87, '93

Sponsor: Catalyx Technologies

Photocatalytic oxidation has been shown to be effective in the destruction of volatile organic compounds. This project aims to enhance the destruction efficiency through modifications to both catalyst preparation and reactor design. The photocatalyst titanium dioxide will be modified by doping with platinum and other electron donors as a promoter for increased catalytic activity. The reactor will be modified by lining its interior with a highly reflective Gore-DRP material to determine if additional photons are reflected, as opposed to being absorbed by the reactor steel walls, and this will increase the efficiency of the photocatalytic reaction.