Photocatalytic activity of TiO2-based materials for the oxidation of propene and benzene at low concentration in presence of humidity

This paper complements previous studies devoted to the photocatalytic oxidation of a low-concentration propene gaseous stream in absence of humidity using agglomerated TiO₂-based materials. These prepared agglomerated materials have shown very good oxidation activities and complete selectivity towards CO₂. The present paper analyses the role of humidity on propene oxidation, which has not been studied before, and extends the use of the prepared agglomerated photocatalysts to low concentration benzene oxidation, both in absence and presence of humidity. The obtained results have shown that humidity must be totally avoided, or kept as low as possible, to achieve high propene conversions. In the case of benzene, some insight to controversial published results is given; very low conversions together with benzene cracking on the surface of the photocatalyst occur in absence of humidity. However, the introduction of humidity leads to high conversions and avoids benzene cracking. The performance of the agglomerated photocatalyst containing a high surface area activated carbon (TiO₂/C1) must be underlined in terms of activity.