Tungsten doped tantalum oxide films on titanium substrates were investigated for use as anodes in the electrochemical disinfection of wastewater (measured through e. coli inactivation). A sol-gel method for fabricating these films was developed that allowed for control of both the doping concentration (through volumes of tantalum and tungsten ethoxide added to the solutions), and the thickness (through the number of layers applied). The morphology and composition of these films were investigated using SEM and EDX mapping; the morphology was found to be connected to the fabrication heating procedure. Three different doping concentrations (0%, 8% and 14% tungsten by volume of added metals) were investigated for: 1) electrochemical activity; 2) long-term stability; and 3) disinfection capabilities. The 14% samples demonstrated the highest conductivity (0.06μS/cm), good long-term stability (verified using ICPMS, SEM and EDX analysis) and the best electrochemical activity for removal of e. coli (based on wastewater tests).
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TORONTO/oai:tspace.library.utoronto.ca:1807/33691 |
| Date | 29 November 2012 |
| Creators | Holladay, Siobhan |
| Contributors | Thorpe, Steven J., Kirk, Donald W. |
| Source Sets | University of Toronto |
| Language | en_ca |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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