0000000001205981
AUTHOR
Enzo Borello
Photoassisted Mechanisms in Heterogeneous Catalysis: The Role of Surface OH in the Decomposition of Ethanoic Acid on Magnesium Oxide
The photodecomposition of adsorbed ethanoic acid was studied on a number of pure and mixed insulator and semiconductor systems having a wide range of acid-base features. MgO appeared to be much more active than any other oxide when oxygen was not present in the reactant mixture. On the basis of infrared, U.V.-Vis. reflectance and photoluminescence data it is suggested that in this case the surface hydroxy-groups which are known to absorb at wavelengths longer than 300 nm are involved in the photodecomposition process.
Photocatalytic oxidation of phenol on TiO2 powders. A Fourier transform infrared study
Abstract In the present paper a detailed investigation of a well known photoreaction, i.e. phenol photodegradation in the presence of TiO2, has been carried out. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) technique has been used to characterize the catalyst surface and to follow the photoprocess by “in situ” measurements in a gas—solid regime, simulating the aqueous liquid—solid regime in which this photodegradation reaction has been usually carried out. The influence on the photoprocess of the surface hydroxylation of the catalyst has been investigated and the presence of some reaction intermediates has been revealed by FT-IR. The experimental results have demonstrated that the chosen gas—soli…