Photocatalitic Decomposition of 2-Ethoxyethanol on Titanium Dioxide

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.62.1004

The reaction mechanism of the photocatalytic oxidation of 2-etoxyethanol (Ethyl Cellosolve, EtOCH2CH2OH) on TiO2 powder was investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-Ms) infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and electron spin resonance (ESR) with spin trapping technique.Irradiation of TiO2 powder with UV light in the presence of EtOCH2CH2OH under air led to the formation of ethyl formate, ethanol, acetaldehyde and carbon dioxide.The main product, ethyl formate was different from the product trough the reaction pathway proposed before for primary alcohols.It was also different from the product of electrolysis on Pt.Reaction mechanism is proposed based on Ir and ESR studies.