Selective photocatalytic oxidation of aromatic alcohols in water by using P-doped g-C3N4

• Published in: Applied catalysis. B, Environmental Environmental, 2018-01, Vol.220, p.222-233
• Main Authors: Bellardita, Marianna, García-López, Elisa I., Marcì, Giuseppe, Krivtsov, Igor, García, José R., Palmisano, Leonardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aromatic alcohols; Doped carbon nitride; G-C3N4; Photocatalysis; Selective oxidation
• ISSN: 0926-3373; 1873-3883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2017.08.033

[Display omitted] •P-doped graphitic C3N4 was prepared, characterized and used as photocatalyst.•P was present in the g-C3N4 both included in the framework and as phosphate.•Three type of aromatic alcohols were selectively photo-oxidised in water suspension.•The P in g-C3N4 diminished conversion and enhanced selectivity to aldehyde.•Conversion and selectivity depend on the substituent in the aromatic alcohol. A set of bare and P-doped graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) photocatalysts has been prepared by thermal condensation of melamine, urea or thiourea. For the sake of comparison, a g-C3N4 sample obtained in the presence of cyanuric acid and thermally exfoliated C3N4 powders were also studied. The materials were physicochemically characterized and their photocatalytic activity was studied for the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BA), 4-methoxy benzyl alcohol (4-MBA) and piperonyl alcohol (PA) in water suspension both under UV and visible light irradiation. The influence of the type and position of the substituents on conversion and selectivity to aldehyde was remarkable. The presence of P in the C3N4 material improved the selectivity of the reaction towards the aldehyde.