Comparative study of phenolic compounds mixtures

• Published in: Catalysis today 2007-11, Vol.129 (1), p.177-184
• Main Authors: ARANA, J, RODRIGUEZ LOPEZ, V. M, PULIDO MELIAN, E, SUAREZ REYES, M. I, DONA RODRIGUEZ, J. M, GONZALEZ DIAZ, O
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysis; Chemistry; Degradation rate; Exact sciences and technology; FTIR; General and physical chemistry; Mixtures; Photocatalysis; Photochemistry; Physical chemistry of induced reactions (with radiations, particles and ultrasonics); Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; TiO 2
• ISSN: 0920-5861; 1873-4308
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2007.06.063

The photocatalytic degradation of catechol, resorcinol, m-cresol, o-cresol and phenol has been studied individually, in dual mixtures and in the presence of hydrogen peroxide to determine possible competition for adsorption and photoactive centres and for the radicals photogenerated. The obtained results have shown that in the presence of hydrogen peroxide degradation rates are determined by the localization of specific adsorption centres more than by the amount of adsorbed molecules or the number of aromatic ring activating positions generated by substituents. The interaction of catechol with the hydroxyls responsible for the formation of the more photoactive OH radicals slows down the degradation of the other phenolics. Additionally, the interaction of each compound with the surface of TiO 2 results in the change of the photoadsorption of oxygen. Consequently, degradation rates of the mixtures are also determined by the photoadsorption of oxygen.