Characterization of an LED Based Photoreactor to Degrade 4-Chlorophenol in an Aqueous Medium Using Coumarin (C-343) Sensitized TiO2

A detailed performance evaluation of a simple high intensity LED based photoreactor exploiting a narrow wavelength range of the LED to match the spectrum of a dye in a photocatalysis system is reported. A dye sensitized (coumarin-343, lambda(max) = 446 nm) TiO2 photocatalyst was used for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) in an aqueous medium using the 436 nm LED based photoreactor. The LED reactor performed competitively with a conventional multilamp reactor and sunlight in the degradation of 4-CP. Light intensities entering the reaction vessel were measured by conventional ferrioxalate actinometry. The results can be fitted by approximate first order kinetic behavior in this system. Hydroxyl radicals were detected by spin trapping EPR, and effects of OH radical quenchers on kinetics suggest that the reaction is initiated by these radicals or their equivalents. LEDs operating at competitive intensities offer a number of advantages to the photochemist or the environmental engineer via long life, efficient current to light conversion, narrow bandwidth, forward directed output, and direct current power for remote operation. Matching light source spectrum to chromophore is a key.