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Abstract: The contamination of water bodies by microorganisms is seen as a highly significant issue that poses a threat to human and animal well-being. The primary objective of this master thesis is to develop and evaluate an environmentally friendly photoelectrochemical (PEC) method using porous Fe₂O₃ thin films for the disinfection of wastewater. This thesis presents the novel application of porous Fe₂O₃ thin films, which were produced using a cost-effective spin-coating technique, to improve the process of PEC disinfection. The PEC approach has been demonstrated to be highly effective in disinfection of wastewaters deliberately contaminated with E. coli bacteria. The crystallinity of the Fe₂O₃ porous thin films was confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), while the film morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The PEC disinfection procedures were conducted in the presence of two separate electrolytes, sodium sulfite (Na₂SO₃) and sodium chloride (NaCl), which were chosen for their specific roles in improving the effectiveness of disinfection. The PEC method shown efficacy in inactivating E. coli, with 45% of the bacteria being inactivated in the presence of 2 mM Na₂SO₃ and complete inactivation achieved with 20 mM NaCl. The findings suggest that the PEC disinfection process is a highly efficient and eco-friendly technology that can be used as a practical substitute for traditional disinfection methods. As a result, it has potential applications in ensuring public safety and safeguarding the environment, particularly in relation to wastewater treatment.
Keywords: Treated wastewater, Disinfection, Escherichia coli, Photoelectrochemical oxidation, Fe2O3 thin films, Sodium sulfite and Sodium chloride.
Published in RUNG: 09.09.2024; Views: 1431; Downloads: 17
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Abstract: In this thesis, we will focus on the solvothermal synthesis of iron phosphides (FeP, Fe2P) using triphenylphosphine (TPP) as an inexpensive and stable phosphorus source. The obtained iron phosphides were applied as electrocatalysts in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation, Escherichia coli (E. coli) inactivation, nitrates reduction reaction (NO3RR) to ammonia (NH3), and as counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Detailed characterizations of catalysts were carried out to investigate the correlations between the material structure and catalytic activity. The first part of the thesis gives an introduction to the topic which cover overview of literature about the use of transition metal phosphide as efficient electrocatalysts in water splitting studies, NO3RR to NH3 and DSSCs. The second part is a description of the experimental methods. The third part discusses the solvothermal synthesis of FeP and Fe2P catalysts using TPP precursor. The phase conversion of iron phosphides at elevated temperatures under reductive atmosphere was reported. Structural characterizations of the obtained materials were achieved using multiple techniques. The electrocatalytic activities of heat-treated iron phosphide films for HER were studied in acidic environment. The fourth part discusses the use of Fe2P nanoparticles (NPs) for OER. The fifth part outlines the use of Fe2P precatalyst in water treatment studies. Using a thin film of Fe2P precatalyst, RhB degradation and E. coli inactivation in the presence of in-situ generated reactive chlorine species were reported. Characterization of Fe2P electrocatalysts before and after the test was carried out using different techniques. The sixth part shows for the first time the use of FeP and Fe2P as a noble metal-free electrocatalysts for NO3RR to NH3. In this chapter we will emphasize the nitrate reaction pathways, which are highly complex and poorly understood. The seventh part demonstrates the use of FeP and Fe2P catalysts as robust and efficient counter electrodes in DSSCs.
Keywords: solvothermal synthesis, iron phosphides, electrocatalysis, HER, OER, RhB degradation, E. coli inactivation, NO3RR to NH3, DSSCs, dissertations
Published in RUNG: 29.08.2022; Views: 3840; Downloads: 121
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Keywords: DNA binding protein, Homo sapiens, synthetic constructs, Escherichia coli
Published in RUNG: 17.03.2021; Views: 3900; Downloads: 13
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Keywords: crystal structures, electron transport, Shewanella baltica OS155, Escherichia coli
Published in RUNG: 16.03.2021; Views: 3158; Downloads: 12
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Keywords: crystal structures, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579
Published in RUNG: 16.03.2021; Views: 3484; Downloads: 12
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