Optimization of a single TiO2-coated optical fiber reactor using experimental design

The photocatalytic degradation of hydroxybutanedioic acid in a single TiO2-coated fiber-optic reactor was investigated by means of experimental design. The photocatalytic activity was mathematically described as a function of TiO2 film thickness and coating length using the composite design methodology. Optimized values for these two parameters for two fibers with different diameters were determined from the drawing of corresponding response surfaces. A study of light transmission within the coated fiber was then conducted following the same methodology. Finally, the two studies were compared in order to verify the proportionality between the photocatalytic activity and the light absorbed by TiO2. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.