F. Sunada, A. Heller
Jan 15, 1998
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0
Influential Citations
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Journal
Environmental Science & Technology
Abstract
The environment of the TiO2 photocatalyst affects the rate and the ratio of products generated in the photocatalytic oxidation of liquid 3-octanol and 3-octanone. The rates and products were determined with two photocatalysts, one directly solution-contacting and hydrophilic, the other embedded in a poly(methylsiloxane) and hydrophobic: in the neat organic reactant, without added water; with added water; and with NaCl (0.5 M) in the water. 3-Octanone was oxidized to CO2 and to two organic phase extracted products n-hexanoic acid and n-pentanal. The organic phase extracted initial oxidation products of 3-octanol were 3-octanone, n-hexanal, and n-pentanal. The CO2 evolution rate was highest in neat 3-octanone when the hydrophilic photocatalyst was in direct contact with the liquid reactant, in which the catalyst particles were uniformly dispersed. When water was added, this photocatalyst resided at the liquid−liquid interface, and the rate of CO2 evolution was reduced. The rate was further reduced when NaC...