@article{450254eb4427484c9de5492d0bce58d9,
title = "Concave Microlens Arrays with Tunable Curvature for Enhanced Photodegradation of Organic Pollutants in Water: A Non-contact Approach",
abstract = "Solar-driven photodegradation for water treatment faces challenges such as low energy conversion rates, high maintenance costs, and over-sensitivity to the environment. In this study, we develop reusable concave microlens arrays (MLAs) for more efficient solar photodegradation by optimizing light distribution. Concave MLAs with the base radius of ∼ 5 μm are fabricated by imprinting convex MLAs to PDMS elastomers. Concave MLAs possess a non-contact reactor configuration, preventing MLAs from detaching or being contaminated. By precisely controlling the solvent exchange, concave MLAs are fabricated with well-defined curvature and adjustable volume on femtoliter scale. The focusing effects of MLAs are examined, and good agreement is presented between experiments and simulations. The photodegradation efficiency of organic pollutants in water is significantly enhanced by 5.1-fold, attributed to higher intensity at focal points of concave MLAs. Furthermore, enhanced photodegradation by concave MLAs is demonstrated under low light irradiation, applicable to real river water and highly turbid water.",
keywords = "Microlens array, photodegradation, solar energy, water treatment",
author = "Qiuyun Lu and Yanan Li and Kehinde Kassim and Xu, {Ben Bin} and {Gamal El-Din}, Mohamed and Xuehua Zhang",
note = "Funding information: The authors acknowledge the support from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund as part of the University of Alberta{\textquoteright}s Future Energy System research initiative. This research was undertaken, in part, thanks to funding from the Canada Research Chairs Program. This work was also supported by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Senior Industrial Research Chair (IRC) in Oil Sands Tailings Water Treatment through the support of Canada{\textquoteright}s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA), Syncrude Canada Ltd., Suncor Energy Inc., Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., Imperial Oil Resources, Teck Resources Limited, EPCOR Water Services, Alberta Innovates, and Alberta Environment and Parks. XHZ and MGED appreciate funding from NSERC Discovery Grant programs from NSERC Alliance - Alberta Innovates (AI) Advance grants and the support from Canada Foundation for Innovation.",
year = "2023",
month = nov,
day = "10",
doi = "10.1002/eom2.12426",
language = "English",
journal = "EcoMat",
issn = "2567-3173",
publisher = "Wiley",
}