The effect of two sacrificial agents (methanol and sodium sulfite) on the photocatalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol employing a ZrO2–TiO2 photocatalyst is reported. The experimental results showed a decrease in the generation of OH˙ radicals and diminution in the charge transfer resistance that favor the electron transfer toward 4-nitrophenolate ions. Based on the results, it is possible to establish that methanol acts as a hole scavenger while sulfite ions act as radical scavengers, improving the reduction from 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol. The synergistic effect has been corroborated by photoluminescence and photoelectrochemical measurements.

Methanol and sodium sulfite together improve photocatalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol by acting as hole scavengers and radical scavengers.

Paper

Improving photocatalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol over ZrO2–TiO2 by synergistic interaction between methanol and sulfite ions

References

Citations