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Photocatalytic Modeling for Maximizing Utilization of Real-Time Changing Sunlight and Rationalizing Evaluation
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  • Xuhui Wei,
  • Houkui Xiang,
  • Yang Xu,
  • Zhijian Wang,
  • Jiazang Chen
Xuhui Wei
Institute of Coal Chemistry CAS

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Houkui Xiang
Institute of Coal Chemistry CAS
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Yang Xu
Institute of Coal Chemistry CAS
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Zhijian Wang
Institute of Coal Chemistry CAS
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Jiazang Chen
Institute of Coal Chemistry CAS
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Abstract

Because of very high potential barrier for thermionic emission and trap-assisted charge recombination, photocatalytic reaction rate that determined by semiconductor-cocatalyst interfacial electron transfer severely deviates from linearity to the photocatalyst dosage or to the light intensity. This makes it challenging to maximize utilization of practical irradiation by referring the parameters evaluated from method used in conventional catalysis. We here develop a model and predict that photocatalytic reaction rate positively correlates to photocatalyst concentration under weak illumination while the correlation becomes negative under intense irradiation. The theoretical simulation that matches the experimental values can be used to guide maximizing photocatalytic photon utilization under various intensity of irradiation. The strong correlation can rationalize photocatalytic evaluation instead of obtaining a numerically high value by excessively lowering the denominators. To realize efficient utilization of real-time changing sunlight, we propose a reactor configuration that can optimize the amount of photocatalyst participating into the reaction.
14 Jul 2022Submitted to AIChE Journal
15 Jul 2022Submission Checks Completed
15 Jul 2022Assigned to Editor
16 Jul 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 Oct 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
30 Oct 20221st Revision Received
02 Nov 2022Submission Checks Completed
02 Nov 2022Assigned to Editor
02 Nov 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
05 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Nov 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
15 Dec 2022Published in AIChE Journal. 10.1002/aic.17985