Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics 224, 1871-1882 (2015)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2015-02506-8

Regular Article

New photocatalytic contactors obtained by PECVD deposition of TiO₂ thin layers on the surface of macroporous supports

PECVD TiO₂-based membranes as photocatalytic contactors

Institut Européen des Membranes (IEM), University of Montpellier, Place Eugène Bataillon, CC047, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France

^a e-mail: stephanie.roualdes@umontpellier.fr

Received: 1 February 2015
Revised: 21 May 2015
Published online: 30 July 2015

Abstract

Two different kinds of PECVD anatase-based composite membranes have been successfully prepared by PECVD synthesis (at 150 ^∘C)/post-annealing (at 300 ^∘C) of a titania film deposited on macroporous supports as a top-layer or a skin-coverage. Photocatalytic activity of PECVD anatase films has been proved performing Pilkington test and methylene blue degradation determination in a lab-scale diffusion cell. Measurements of methylene blue degradation and water flow in a pilot-scale dynamic unit have enabled to show the performance of PECVD anatase-based membranes in terms of permeation and photocatalytic properties. Whereas bi-layered membranes present higher photo-degradation ability (up to 2.5 × 10⁻⁸ mol s⁻¹ m⁻² destroyed methylene blue moles per unit of time and of membrane surface area), skin-covered membranes are characterized by higher water permeance (up to 6800 L h⁻¹ m⁻² bar⁻¹). So both kinds of membranes should have an interest as photocatalytic contactors.