Synergistic effects of co-doping on photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide on glucose conversion to value-added chemicals

Abstract

Development of conversion of biomass derivatives in combination with utilization of solar energy by photocatalysts is a promising alternative strategy for biorefineries. The photocatalytic reaction could convert glucose to a mixture of value-added chemicals under UV irradiation. Modifications of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles by metal or metalloid (i.e., B and Ag) and nonmetal (i.e., N) dopants were carried out. The effects of co-doping (i.e., B/N and Ag/N) on physicochemical characteristics of the modified photocatalysts, photocatalytic glucose conversion, and the yields of the target chemical products (i.e., gluconic acid, xylitol, arabinose, and formic acid) were studied. The doping of the photocatalysts by different single dopants could improve the performance in terms of productivity and was further enhanced by the synergism from co-doping. The improvement in catalytic performances of the photocatalysts corresponded with the alterations in physicochemical characteristics of the catalysts resulting from the dopants.