A proposal of process sensing technique at photocatalytic degradation

In this paper, a new process sensing technique at a photocatalytic degradation is proposed. A pair of PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) films with transparent conductive electrodes (ITO electrodes) were pasted on both sides of the cylindrical cell. In addition, the photocatalyst is coated on the front sides of each PVDF film and a light emitting element and a photodiode are arranged on the back sides. The photocatalytic reaction of the solution is induced by the light emitting element. The optical properties in photocatalytic reaction are simultaneously measured by the light emitting element and the photodiode. In addition, the electrical and ultrasonic properties of the solution are also obtained by using PVDF films. Therefore, both the photocatalytic reaction of the solution and the measurements of the optical, electrical and ultrasonic properties in the process are simultaneously carried out. In the experiment, the photocatalytic degradation at two types of sample solutions, –methylene blue and glycerol solutions–, and measurements of the optical, electrical and ultrasonic properties in the process were simultaneously demonstrated. The usefulness of the proposed sensing technique was discussed.