Nanofiber-membrane-supported TiO 2 as a catalyst for oxidation of benzene to phenol

Abstract

We applied a simple, low-cost design of glass capillary microreactor for the catalytic oxidation of benzene to phenol at ambient conditions. Polyvinylchloride-nanofiber-membrane-supported titania nanoparticle (TiO 2-PVC) as catalyst and in situ production of hydroxyl radicals as oxidant. The reaction was monitored by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The reaction conditions were optimized and the performance of the microreactor was then compared with the conventional laboratory scale reaction which used hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. The microreactor gave a better yield of 14 for phenol compared to 0.14 in the conventional laboratory scale reaction. Reaction conditions such as reaction time, reaction pH, and applied potential were optimized. With optimized reaction conditions selectivity of 37 and 88 conversion of benzene were obtained.