Terephthalic acid decomposition by photocatalytic ozonation with V_xO_y/ZnO under different UV-A LEDs distributions

In this work, the degradation of terephthalic acid (TA) by vanadium oxide (V_xO_y) supported on zinc oxide (ZnO) was evaluated in a photocatalytic ozonation treatment based on two UV-A LEDs distributions. TEM analysis and specific surface area measurement suggest that V_xO_y is not supported on ZnO, while the EDXRF and XPS analysis indicated the presence of V_xO_y. The XPS analysis on V_xO_y/ZnO catalyst showed non-significant surface change between fresh and used catalyst. However, ozone decomposition showed a higher reaction rate constant for catalytic (230%) and photocatalytic ozonation (310%) in comparison with single ozone treatment. Photocatalytic ozonation with central and external irradiation arrays was evaluated in TA elimination by a kinetic study. The irradiation arrays had not statistical differences in the TA decomposition or oxalic acid formation. These results suggest that the construction of central bodies inside the reactor could be not necessary for photocatalytic processes.