High-value chemicals obtained from selective photo-oxidation of glucose in the presence of nanostructured titanium photocatalysts

Abstract

Glucose was oxidized in the presence of powdered TiO 2 photocatalysts synthesized by an ultrasound-promoted sol-gel method. The catalysts were more selective towards glucaric acid, gluconic acid and arabitol (total selectivity approx. 70%) than the most popular photocatalyst, Degussa P-25. The photocatalytic systems worked at mild reaction conditions: 30°C, atmospheric pressure and very short reaction time (e.g. 5min). Such relatively good selectivity towards high-valued molecules are attributed to the physico-chemical properties (e.g. high specific surface area, nanostructured anatase phase, and visible light absorption) of novel TiO 2 materials and the reaction conditions. The TiO 2 photocatalysts have potential for water purification and energy production and for use in the pharmaceutical, food, perfume and fuel industries. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.