Drocilia Ednah Simangoye Ngobissi, Jihène Soufi, L. Vanoye
Mar 29, 2017
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Journal
Catalysis Letters
Abstract
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) photodegradation was studied in water under UV irradiation in the presence of catalytic amount of TiO2 using hexaethylene glycol as a model compound. Full conversion was achieved in 7 h with an average quantum yield around 1%. Formic acid was found to be the main intermediate and was slower to oxidize into CO2 (traces remains after 24 h). The other intermediates [lower PEG, oxidized PEG (formates, aldehydes and acids, acetic acid)] of the photodegradation have also been identified and quantified. A mechanism based on previous literature but also taking into account these new observations is proposed.Graphical Abstract