Ion-concentration-polarization-assisted photocatalytic reactor for highly efficient water purification

is achieved. The nonlinear electric field induced by concentration polarization, the nanofluidic electrokinetic phenomenon, results in a considerably increased potential drop across the photocatalyst layer such that the recombination of photoexcited electrons and holes may be efficiently prevented. The facilitated photocatalytic reaction is verified with the plastic film degradation. This proposed enhancing mechanism shows a novel application of nanofluidics for improving the photocatalytic effect, and the potential to be a new class of platform for a photocatalytic reactor owing to its simple configuration and fabrication procedures.