Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane as a probe in heterogeneous TiO 2 photocatalysis

• In this work we present a new route to probe the efficiency of aqueous TiO 2 photocatalysis using Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris). Hydrogen abstracting species such as hydroxyl radicals react with Tris through hydrogen abstraction, which leads to the formation of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde was subsequently detected and quantified spectrophotometrically at 368 nm using a modified version of the Hantzsch reaction. The effect of Tris concentration on the photocatalytic production of formaldehyde was studied in the range 0.1-500 mM Tris. A strong concentration dependence was observed below 100 mM, which indicates that not all photo-produced (hydroxyl) radicals are scavenged at Tris concentrations below 100 mM. Therefore, in order to assess the maximum efficiency of the photocatalytic system, Tris concentrations above 100 mM are required. To evaluate the effect of O 2 on the formaldehyde yield in the reaction between Tris and the hydroxyl radical, a gamma radiolysis study was performed where Tris solutions saturated with O 2 and N 2, respectively, were irradiated in parallel and the yield of formaldehyde was compared. These results showed that O2 does not influence the formaldehyde yield.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Kemiteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Chemical Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Relative Photonic Efficiencies

Rutile Phase-Transition

Electron-Spin-Resonance

Titanium-Dioxide

Semiconductor Photocatalysis

Oxidative-Degradation

Aqueous Suspensions

Hydroxyl Radicals

Quantum Yields

Adsorption

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