SOLAR PHOTOCATALYTIC DISINFECTION OF WATER IN THE PRESENCE OF KAOLINITE CATALYST

In this study a kaolinite-Ag catalyst and a kaolinite-Zn catalyst are prepared for use in photocatalysis which uses irradiation by sodium light to damage the cell structures of bacteria in water for disinfection. The experimental results indicated that kaolinite-Ag catalyst and kaolinite-Zn catalyst have the best disinfection efficiency when 0.06 wt% are added and reached 90% and 85% disinfection efficiency when they were exposed to sodium light for 200 minutes. Among the individual catalysts, kaolinite-Zn catalyst releases more intermediates at the latter stage of photocatalysis (proved by the concentration level of total organic carbon, TOC); it is easy for the intermediates to compete with the catalyst. The activation rate of target objects on the surface of the Zn catalyst, thus, slows down and results in slower spread of disinfection in the latter part of the reaction curve.