Photocatalytic oxidations of benzene gas using the closed system (batch reactor) were induced to determine its by-products and investigate the effect of humidity and oxygen concentration on their generation. The study was able to identify 11 gaseous b...
Photocatalytic oxidations of benzene gas using the closed system (batch reactor) were induced to determine its by-products and investigate the effect of humidity and oxygen concentration on their generation. The study was able to identify 11 gaseous by-products: 2-methylpropene, acetaldehyde, acetone, pentane, methylcyclobutane, methylcyclopentane, cyclohexane, 2,3-dimethylbutane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, and hexane. All the by-products were saturated hydrocarbons, which are less toxic than benzene and were probably formed through hydrogenation reaction on the photocatalytic surface. The photocatalytic oxidation of benzene under higher humidity produced less by-products. However, the amount of acetone released increased with higher humidity and oxygen concentration.