K. Selvam

Photocatalytic activity of surface fluorinated TiO2-P25 in the degradation of Reactive Orange 4

Photocatalytic activity of surface fluorinated TiO(2)-P25 (F-TiO(2)-P25) in the degradation of a chlorotriazine azo dye Reactive Orange 4 (RO 4) under ambient conditions was investigated in this study. Characterization of F-TiO(2)-P25 reveals that the catalyst has a strong absorption in the UV range and the presence of F atom in the catalyst. The degradation rate of RO 4 with surface fluorinated TiO(2)-P25 is three times faster than bare TiO(2)-P25. The quantum yield of UV/TiO(2)-P25 process is largely decreased by the increase of initial dye concentration, whereas in UV/F-TiO(2)-P25 process, the influence of initial dye concentration is less. Surface fluorination of TiO(2)-P25 enhanced the adsorption of RO 4 dye, while improving overall degradation rate. The optimum operating conditions of UV/F-TiO(2)-P25 process for efficient degradation are reported.

Photovalorisation of pentafluorobenzoic acid with platinum doped TiO2

Pt-doped TiO(2) has been prepared and characterized by various surface analytical methods such as BET surface area, scanning electron micrographs (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray micro analysis (EDX) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Photodefluoridation of pentafluorobenzoic acid (PFBA) to fluoride ions has been carried out using TiO(2) and Platinum doped TiO(2) with UV-C (200-300 nm) light. The defluoridation was monitored by the ionometer with fluoride ion selective electrode. Photodeposition of 1.5% Platinum on the surface of TiO(2) enhances its photoactivity in pentafluorobenzoic acid defluoridation. In order to optimize the working conditions, effects of pH and initial PFBA concentration were analyzed. Addition of inorganic oxidizing species KIO(4,) H(2)O(2), (NH(4))S(2)O(8) and KBrO(3) strongly influenced the photocatalytic defluoridation of PFBA. The significant enhancement in the Pt-TiO(2) photoactivity under UV irradiation can be ascribed to the platinum deposits, acting as electron traps on the Pt-TiO(2) surface. The fluoride ions formed during photodefluoridation can be used for the production of CaF(2).

Nano N-TiO2 mediated selective photocatalytic synthesis of quinaldines from nitrobenzenes

N-Doped TiO2 using a new nitrogen precursor hydrazine hydrate was synthesized by a simple wet method. This photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), UV-Vis diffused reflectance spectra (DRS), photoluminescence (PL) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). N-Doping does not change the phase of TiO2. It is found that the size of N-TiO2 is 15.6 nm with 134.72 m² g−1 surface area. XPS analysis reveals the presence of anionic nitrogen in TiO2 as O–Ti–N. Substitution of N in place of oxygen in the TiO2 lattice causes a decrease in oxygen vacancies which inhibits the recombination of electron–hole pairs. This catalyst was used for the selective one-pot synthesis of quinaldines from nitrobenzenes in ethanol under UV and visible light. N-TiO2 on irradiation induces a combined redox reaction with nitrobenzene and alcohol and this is followed by condensation-cyclization of aniline with oxidation products to give quinaldines. N-Doped TiO2 is found to be more efficient than metal doped TiO2 in quinaldine synthesis under visible light. Higher activity of the N-TiO2 could be attributed to its stronger absorbance of visible light.

Product Selectivity in Semiconductor-Mediated Dehydrazonation of Benzophenone Hydrazone

Abstract Product selectivity in the dehydrazonation of benzophenone hydrazone by photocatalytic oxidation with various semiconductor photocatalysts has been investigated using ultraviolet-A light. TiO2-P25 shows greater product selectivity of benzophenone formation with 93.9% conversion. Doping of metals on TiO2 selectively enhances the formation of azine from hydrazone. Solvents such as dichloromethane, chloroform, and dichloroethane also enhance the formation of azine.

A Combined-Redox Synthesis of 2-Alkylbenzimidazoles from 2-Nitroanilines by Semiconductor Photocatalysis

Abstract One-pot photocatalytic synthesis of 2-substituted benzimidazoles from 2-nitroanilines with different alcohols by combined redox cyclization reaction using TiO2-P25 is reported. The reaction, when performed with ethanol, gives 2-methylbenzimidazole as a single product. However, in a mixture of ethanol and water (1:1), it gives both 2-methylbenzimidazole and 1-ethyl-2-methylbenzimidazole. The products have been characterized by Fourier transorm–infrared, 1H NMR, 13CNMR, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. TiO2-P25 behaves as a combined redox photocatalyst by reducing 2-nitroaniline and oxidizing alcohols simultaneously under ultraviolet light. Easy product isolation under mild conditions and good yield make this one-pot synthesis ecofriendly. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Photoassisted Catalytic Cleavage of the C–F Bond in Pentafluorophenol With ZnO and the Effect of Operational Parameters

The photocatalytic cleavage of the C–F bond in pentafluorophenol (PFP) with ZnO using 254 and 365 nm UV light has been investigated under different conditions. The defluoridation was monitored using an ionometer with a fluoride ion selective electrode. The photocleavage was more effective under 254 nm than under 365 nm UV light. With 254 nm UV light, TiO2-P25, TiO2 (anatase), ZnO, and ZrO2 photocatalyzed the deflouridation of PFP, whereas CdS, CdO, and SnO2 did not. The defluoridation is enhanced by the addition of oxidants such as KIO4, KClO3, (NH4)2S2O8, and KBrO3. The periodate ion is found to be the most efficient oxidant. The defluoridation intermediates were found to be tetrafluorodihydroxybenzene, trifluorotrihydroxybenzene, and tetrafluoroquinone