Gas-phase Photocatalytic Mineralization of n-Hexane over N-doped TiO2 Nanoparticles under Visible-Light

In this paper, an examination of gas-phase photocatalytic oxidation of n-Hexane into CO2 and H2O using nitrogen modified TiO2 under visible-light is reported. The morphology of photocatalyst samples was characterized through XRD, SEM, XRF, and FTIR analyses, also photooxidized products were identified by GC and FTIR in the gas medium. The SEM analysis resulted that the surface of catalysts did not change significantly by modification. Moreover, results from photocatalytic activity showed that the N-doped TiO2 was able to transform different concentrations of feed into CO2 and H2O under visible-light. A comparison between photocatalytic performances of N-doped TiO2/Visible-light and TiO2/UV showed that the former was more efficient for n-Hexane conversion (93% photocatalytic conversion). Based on the results from FTIR analysis that have proved the formation of some intermediates such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids, a mechanism study has been done.