Role of Molecular Oxygen in Photocatalytic Oxidative Decomposition of Acetic Acid by Metal Oxide Particulate Suspensions and Thin Film Electrodes

Abstract

The role of molecular oxygen (O₂) in the photocatalytic decomposition of a model compound, acetic acid, was studied using suspensions and electrodes of metal oxide particles, titanium(IV) oxide (TiO₂) or tungsten(VI) oxide (WO₃). Results for photocurrent efficiency in photoelectrochemical measurements revealed that reaction of O₂ with radicals liberated by positive holes increases the overall rate of photocatalytic oxidative decomposition of acetic acid.