Photocatalytic Decomposition of Lactic Acid in Water on a Photoelectrochemical Circuit System Consisting of a Rod-type TiO2 Electrode and Silicon Solar Cell
Lactic acid, a well-known substance causingdental caries, was dissolved in water and completely oxidizedinto CO2 and H2O on a powdered TiO2 photocatalystunder UV light irradiation. Furthermore, a unique photoelectrochemicalcircuit system consisting of a rod-typeTiO2 electrode and counter electrode connected through asilicon solar cell was constructed and its photocatalyticactivity for the decomposition of lactic acid was investigated.The photoelectrochemical circuit system was foundto effectively mineralize the lactic acid in water into CO2while the negative bias applied on the rod-type TiO2electrode enhanced the photocatalytic decomposition rateof the lactic acid.