Abstract: The simultaneous bimodal study of the photocatalytic oxalic acid degradation by aqueous TiO2 suspensions revealed that particular systems possess the capacity to protect a certain amount of oxalic acid from oxidation, thus hindering, to some extent, the photocatalytic reaction. While measurements of the oxalic acid concentration in the bulk liquid phase indicated full photocatalytic degradation; in situ pH-stat measurements allowed the quantification of the amount of oxalic acid remaining in the part of the nanoparticulate agglomerates where light could apparently not access. An explanation for this phenomenon takes into account the possibility of the formation of TiO2 agglomerates in which these molecules are hidden from the effect of the light, thus being protected from photocatalytic degradation. Studies of different TiO2 materials with different particle sizes allowed a deeper exploration of this phenomenon. In addition, because this property of encapsulating pollutant molecules by photocatalytic systems is found to be a reversible phenomenon, P25 appears to be more convenient and advantageous as compared to the use of large surface area photocatalysts. Graphical Abstract: Fig.: Deaggregation of TiO2 particle agglomerates upon UV illumination. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Original languageEnglish
Article number187
JournalJournal of Nanoparticle Research
Volume18
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2016

    Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Chemistry(all)
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Modelling and Simulation
  • Materials Science(all)
  • Condensed Matter Physics

    Research areas

  • Deaggregation, Oxalic acid, Photocatalysis, Semiconductor nanoparticles, TiO

ID: 9158557