Selective oxidation of alcohols in aqueous suspensions of rhodium ion-modified TiO2 photocatalysts under irradiation of visible light.
Photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohols in aqueous suspensions of rhodium ion-modified titanium(iv) oxide (Rh(3+)/TiO2) in the presence of O2 under irradiation of visible light was examined. In the photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde was obtained in a high yield (97%) with >99% conversion of benzyl alcohol. Rh(3+)/TiO2 photocatalysts having various physical properties were prepared using commercially available TiO2 powders as supporting materials for Rh(3+) to investigate the effect(s) of physical properties of TiO2 on photocatalytic activities of Rh(3+)/TiO2 for selective oxidation. Adsorption properties of benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde and benzoic acid on TiO2 were also investigated to understand the high benzaldehyde selectivity over the Rh(3+)/TiO2 photocatalyst. The reaction mechanism was discussed on the basis of the results of photocatalytic oxidation of various p-substituted benzyl alcohol derivatives.
Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kinki University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan.
Sho
S
Kitano
Atsuhiro
A
Tanaka
Keiji
K
Hashimoto
Hiroshi
H
Kominami
D000438:Alcohols / Q000737:chemistry*; D008027:Light; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D033362:Powder Diffraction; D012238:Rhodium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D000438:Alcohols; D014867:Water; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium; D012238:Rhodium