Partial photocatalytic oxidation of glycerol in TiO2 water suspensions

On the redox behaviour of glycerol at TiO2 electrodes

“…The use of glycerol as sacrificial reagent in photoelectrochemical cells has been often reported in the literature, not only to minimise e-h recombination losses, but also because it represents an environmentally friendly way to convert it into valuable products [8,17,18]. However, in most of the cases the attention was paid on the improvement of electricity or H 2 production.…”

“…As matter of fact a number of opportunities based on photocatalytic and photo-electrocatalytic routes for glycerol consumption have been proposed. As an example, Augugliaro et al [8] reported the photo-oxidation of glycerol in aqueous suspension in presence of TiO 2 in the anatase and rutile phase for the production of 1-3-dihydroxyacetone, glyceraldehyde and formic acid. Furthermore, recent studies demonstrated the possibility of obtaining hydrogen by photo-or photo-electrocatalytic splitting of water in presence of biomass compounds, such as glycerol [9,10].…”

Optimization of microwave-assisted etherification of glycerol to polyglycerols by sodium carbonate as catalyst

“…Glycerol can be used as a reactant in oxidation processes, fermentation process, acetylation processes with acetic acid, and acetalization processes with ketones. Valuable chemicals obtained from glycerol include glyceraldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, hydroxyl pyruvic acid glycolic acid, and glyceric acid [7], 1,3-propanediol [8], polyglycerol esters [9,10], and oxygenated acetals and ketals [11][12][13]. Glycerol by-product from biodiesel production can be a source for the preparation of acidic catalysts for utilization in etherification reactions producing oxygenated additives for fuels [14].…”

Route of glycerol conversion and product generation via TiO2-induced photocatalytic oxidation in the presence of H2O2

“…During the photooxidation or photo-reforming of glycerol to a gas products (CO 2 and/or H 2 ), various intermediates were produced such as propylene glycol, glyceraldehyde (GCD), dihydroxyacetone (DHA), 2-oxopropanol, acetaldehyde, acetone, ethanol and methanol [31,32]. Some of these are more valuable than H 2 .…”

“…TiO 2 was used as a photocatalyst because of its chemical and photochemical stability, biological inertness and low cost [33]. The reaction was conducted in a cylindrical photoreactor because this reactor configuration was previously mentioned as more efficient than an annular reactor [32]. H 2 O 2 was used as an oxidizing agent because it can be reduced or oxidized by either photogenerated holes or photogenerated electrons to form HO Å and/or O ÅÀ 2 and then likely improved activity of glycerol oxidation [34,35].…”