Vincenzo Augugliaro

The role of water in the photocatalytic degradation of acetonitrile and toluene in gas-solid and liquid-solid regimes

Photocatalytic degradation of acetonitrile and toluene was carried out both in gas-solid and in liquid-solid regimes by using commercial TiO2 samples (Merck and Degussa P25). The investigation was mainly aimed to study the influence of water present in the reaction environment on the mechanism and degradation rate of two probe molecules. In gas-solid regime, the reacting mixture consisted of toluene or acetonitrile, oxygen, nitrogen, and water vapour. The main degradation product of toluene was CO2 with small amounts of benzaldehyde. In the presence of water vapour, the activity of TiO2 Merck remained stable but greatly decreased if water was absent. TiO2 Degussa P25 continuously deactivated, even in the presence of water vapour. With both catalysts, the photodegradation products of acetonitrile were CO2 and HCN; the activity was stable and was independent of the presence of water vapour in the reacting mixture. The production of HCN represents a drawback of acetonitrile photocatalytic degradation but the elimination of HCN is not actually a problem. In liquid-solid regime, the main intermediates of toluene photodegradation were p-cresol and benzaldehyde; traces of pyrogallol and benzyl alcohol were also found. Benzoic acid, hydroquinone, and trans, trans muconic acid were detected only when TiO2 Merck was used. The photodegradation products of acetonitrile were cyanide, cyanate, formate, nitrate, and carbonate ions.

Doped TiO2 Nanomaterials and Applications

This special issue brieflyreviews some trends and factors that have impacted heterogeneous photocatalysis with next generation TiO2 nanophotocatalysts that could absorband make use of both UV (290–400 nm) and visible (400–700 nm) sunlight to enhance process efficiencies, along with some issues of current debate in the fundamental understanding of the science that underpins the field. Preparative methods and some characteristics features of doped TiO2 as well as its environmental applications are presented and described. The next generation of doped TiO2 photocatalysts should enhance overall process photoefficiencies in many cases, since doped TiO2s absorb a greater quantity of solar radiation. The fundamental science that underpins heterogeneous photocatalysis with the next generation of photocatalysts is a rich playing field ripe for further exploration. Different articles presented in this special issue have shown that modification of TiO2 by doping of different atoms, both as cations and anions, can improve photoactivity of TiO2. One reason is slowing down electron/hole recombination rate. The presence of certain dopants can increase the concentration of organic pollutants on the surface of TiO2 facilitating the contact of the light-generated reactive species with the organic molecules. Doped TiO2 can extend the absorption of the light to the visible region andmakes the photocatalysts active under visible-light irradiation.

Pervaporation membrane reactors

Abstract: Pervaporation is a peculiar membrane separation process which is currently being considered for integration with a variety of reactions in promising new applications. Indeed, pervaporation membrane reactors have some specific uses in sustainable chemistry, which is an area currently growing in importance. The fundamentals of this type of membrane reactor are presented in this chapter, along with the advantages and limitations of different processes. A number of applications are reviewed with particular attention given to potential future developments.

Pervaporation membrane reactors (Chapter 3)

Abstract: Pervaporation is a peculiar membrane separation process which is currently being considered for integration with a variety of reactions in promising new applications. Indeed, pervaporation membrane reactors have some specific uses in sustainable chemistry, which is an area currently growing in importance. The fundamentals of this type of membrane reactor are presented in this chapter, along with the advantages and limitations of different processes. A number of applications are reviewed with particular attention given to potential future developments.