Gas‐Phase Photodegradation of Decane and Methanol on TiO 2 : Dynamic Surface Chemistry Characterized by Diffuse Reflectance FTIR

Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was used to study illuminated TiO 2 surfaces under both vacuum conditions, and in the presence of organic molecules (decane and methanol). In the presence of hole scavengers, electrons are trapped at Ti(III)–OH sites, and free elec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of photoenergy 2008-12, Vol.2008 (1)
Main Authors: Balcerski, William, Ryu, Su Young, Hoffmann, Michael R.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was used to study illuminated TiO 2 surfaces under both vacuum conditions, and in the presence of organic molecules (decane and methanol). In the presence of hole scavengers, electrons are trapped at Ti(III)–OH sites, and free electrons are generated. These free electrons are seen to decay by exposure either to oxygen or to heat; in the case of heating, reinjection of holes into the lattice by loss of sorbed hole scavenger leads to a decrease in Ti(III)–OH centers. Decane adsorption experiments lend support to the theory that removal of surficial hydrocarbon contaminants is responsible for superhydrophilic TiO 2 surfaces. Oxidation of decane led to a mixture of surface‐bound organics, while oxidation of methanol leads to the formation of surface‐bound formic acid.
ISSN:1110-662X
1687-529X
DOI:10.1155/2008/964721