Partial photocatalytic oxidation of glycerol in TiO2 water suspensions

Augugliaro V., El Nazer H. A. H., Loddo V., Mele A., Palmisano G., Palmisano L., ...More

CATALYSIS TODAY, vol.151, no.1-2, pp.21-28, 2010 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 151 Issue: 1-2
  • Publication Date: 2010
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.cattod.2010.01.022
  • Journal Name: CATALYSIS TODAY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.21-28
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The photo-oxidation of glycerol in aqueous suspensions containing commercial and home-prepared TiO2 samples in the anatase, rutile or anatase-rutile polymorphic phases was investigated by using two different batch photoreactors, an annular photoreactor and a cylindrical photoreactor. The glycerol oxidation products detected in the aqueous phase were: 1,3-dihydroxyacetone, glyceraldehyde, formic acid and carbon dioxide. Two unknown compounds were also detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry as peaks at m/z 268 and m/z 176. A plausible mechanism for their formation was suggested based on ESI-MS and MSn experiments. The results indicate that in both systems the commercial samples showed the best performances both for reaction rate and selectivity toward 1,3-dihydroxyacetone, glyceraldehyde, formic acid and CO2. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.