Performance and Mechanism of Photo-electrocatalytic Inactivation of Chlorella vulgaris Under Sunlight Irradiation
摘要
It is urgent to develop effective strategies for the control of recurrent algal blooms. In this study, a continuous baffled photoelectric-reactor (CBPR) coupling photocatalytic (PC) and electrocatalytic (EC) technology was constructed for the inactivation of Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris). The experimental results indicated that the CBPR achieved a superior algal removal efficiency of 96.75% within 8 h, which was higher than that of single PC (90.87%) and EC (81.06%) system. The coupling system caused more severe damage to algal photosynthesis system and cellular integrity. Meanwhile, the CBPR system displays unique environmental advantages, including the mineralization of extracellular organic matter and the reduction of total phosphorus content. Notably, little reproduction of C. vulgaris was observed in the CBPR and EC system. The excellent performance of the CBPR system can be attributed to the presence of an external voltage, which accelerates the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and promotes the generation of hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical. The CBPR provides a green technology strategy for the control of algal blooms to achieve continuously operation under natural conditions.