Bipolar pulsed electrical discharge for decomposition of methylene blue in aqueous TiO2 nanoparticle dispersions.

The objective of this paper is to investigate the decomposition process of organic pollutants by liquid phase plasma. A bipolar pulsed power supply was used to generate discharges in the aqueous TiO2 nanoparticle dispersions. The applied voltage, pulse width, and frequency were 250 V, 5 micros, and 30 kHz, respectively. Properties of generated plasma were investigated by electrical and optical emission spectroscopy methods. The comparison of properties of the discharge operated with and without oxygen gas bubbling is shown. The results of electrical-discharge degradation of methylene blue showed that the decomposition rate increased with the TiO2 particle dosages. Addition of oxygen gas bubbles also increased the degradation rate of methylene blue.