Evanescent waves modulate energy efficiency of photocatalysis within TiO₂ coated optical fibers illuminated using LEDs.

ABSTRACT: Coupling photocatalyst-coated optical fibers (P-OFs) with LEDs shows potential in environmental applications. Here we report a strategy to maximize P-OF light usage and quantify interactions between two forms of light energy (refracted light and evanescent waves) and surface-coated photocatalysts. Different TiO₂-coated quartz optical fibers (TiO₂-QOFs) are synthesized and characterized. An energy balance model is then developed by correlating different nano-size TiO₂ coating structures with light propagation modes in TiO₂-QOFs. By reducing TiO₂ patchiness on optical fibers to 0.034 cm²/cm² and increasing the average interspace distance between fiber surfaces and TiO₂ coating layers to 114.3 nm, refracti

SUBMITTER: Song Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8253814 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature