Photo-oxidation of benzyl alcohol under natural weathering conditions Original Research Article

The photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol has been investigated by the following carbonyl compound formation. Measurements were made under natural weathering conditions (sunlight and oxygen) in the existence of titanium dioxide or sensitized titanium dioxide. Sensitization of titanium dioxide has been done by the impregnation of Riboflavin (RF), Safranine O (SO), Methyl red (MR), Eosin B (EB), and Methyl blue (MB) on anatase (Degussa P25). The photo-oxidation of benzyl alcohol was found to be fell in the sequence: Riboflavin > Safranine O > Naked TiO2 > Methyl red > Eosin B > Methyl blue. The formation of benzaldehyde during the photocatalytic reaction has been studied by using FTIR, HPLC and spectrophotometric measurements.