Aj. Maira et al., Fourier transform infrared study of the performance of nanostructured TiO2particles for the photocatalytic oxidation of gaseous toluene, J CATALYSIS, 202(2), 2001, pp. 413-420
Thermal and hydrothermal treatments have been applied to an amorphous TiO2
precursor for obtaining nanosized TiO2 particles (P11t and P11h, respective
ly) of different photocatalytic properties. The activity of these catalysts
has been tested by performing the toluene oxidation in gas phase in a cont
inuous photoreactor. A Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) investigation of t
he catalysts under conditions prevailing during the test photoreaction has
also been carried out. The photoreactivity results showed that CO2 was the
main oxidation product and benzaldehyde a stable intermediate. Anatase P11t
photoactivity was similar to that observed for commercial photocatalysts,
while anatase P11h presented a marked improvement. The FTIR study on these
samples indicate that P11h has a higher number of hydrogen-bonded hydroxyl
groups that are more stable under RT outgassing than P11t. The higher photo
activity of P11h is attributed to the participation of these hydrogen-bonde
d hydroxyls in the toluene conversion to CO2. FTIR spectra also suggest tha
t benzaldehyde, the minor oxidation product, originates from toluene adsorb
ed on isolated hydroxyls. Benzaldehyde is more strongly adsorbed on P11h th
an on P11t; the presence of water vapor in the reacting mixture, however, f
acilitates its desorption and/or photooxidation. (C) 2001 Academic Press.