One-step synthesis of CuxOy/TiO2 photocatalysts by laser pyrolysis for selective ethylene production from propionic acid degradation
Résumé
In an effort to produce alkenes in an energy-saving way, this study presents for the first time a photocatalytic process that allows obtaining ethylene with high selectivity from propionic acid (PA) degradation. To this end, TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) modified with copper oxides (CuxOy/TiO2) were synthetized by laser pyrolysis. The atmosphere of synthesis (He or Ar) strongly affects the morphology of photocatalysts and therefore their selectivity towards hydrocarbons (C2H4, C2H6, C4H10) and H2 products. Specifically, CuxOy/TiO2 elaborated under He environment presents highly dispersed copper species and favors the production of C2H6 and H2. On the contrary, CuxOy/TiO2 synthetized under Ar involves copper oxides organized into distinct NPs of ~2 nm diameter and promotes C2H4 as the major hydrocarbon product, with a selectivity i.e. C2H4/CO2 as high as 85% versus 1% obtained with pure TiO2.
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