Selective photocatalytic benzene hydroxylation to phenol using surface-modified Cu₂O supported on graphene

Abstract

The photocatalytic activity for benzene hydroxylation to phenol by hydrogen peroxide has been evaluated using a series of photocatalysts based on defective graphene.

Controlled Synthesis of Cu0/Cu2O for Efficient Photothermal Catalytic Conversion of CO2 and H2O

“…We note that Cu 2 O is a semiconductor photocatalyst with a band gap of ∼2.0 eV, which theoretically meets the potential requirements of photocatalytic water splitting. For the past several years, Cu 2 O has been widely used in the studies of photocatalysis for applications such as H 2 production, − dye degradation, − organic synthesis, , and CO 2 hydrogenation. − On the basis of these results, we hypothesize that a bifunctional Cu 0 /Cu 2 O catalyst with a suitable interface between Cu 0 and Cu 2 O can be used for direct coupling of photothermal catalysis, which could be a promising way for sustainable conversion of CO 2 . Herein, the Cu 0 /Cu 2 O interface is beneficial to the thermal catalytic hydrogenation of CO 2 , while a Schottky contact can be easily formed between Cu 0 and the Cu 2 O semiconductor, enhancing the light absorption performance and photogenerated electron–hole separation efficiency of the catalyst.…”

“…For the past several years, Cu 2 O has been widely used in the studies of photocatalysis for applications such as H 2 production, 15−17 dye degradation, 18−20 organic synthesis, 21,22 and CO 2 hydrogenation. 23−25 On the basis of these results, we hypothesize that a bifunctional Cu 0 /Cu Characterization.…”

Recent Advances in the Heterogeneous Photocatalytic Hydroxylation of Benzene to Phenol

“…Cai et al [ 91 ] have demonstrated that through the conversion of the surface wettability of RGO from hydrophilic to hydrophobic (RGO-Cys), the benzene hydroxylation reaction occurred at the water–benzene interface, and the rapid desorption of phenol from the interface to the benzene phase was realized, thereby significantly enhancing the photocatalytic performance by more than three times. In a study by He et al, surface-modified Cu 2 O supported on defective graphene was prepared for the selective photocatalytic hydroxylation of benzene [ 92 ]. The surface hydrophobicity of the catalyst was increased through the modification of alkanethiols to promote the adsorption of the benzene, which largely improved the selectivity of phenol compared to that of the catalyst without surface modification.…”

Effect of Pd and Au on Hydrogen Abstraction and C–C Cleavage in Photoconversion of Glycerol: Beyond Charge Separation

“…Photocatalytic processing is becoming a green, versatile, and powerful tool box for the synthesis of many important chemicals under ambient conditions without applying additional redox reagents. − Recently, photocatalytic conversion of polyols into value-added chemicals has shown promising potential. − Originally, polyols (and simple alcohols) have merely been employed as electron donorssacrificial agentsin photocatalytic hydrogen generation. − Because alcohols easily oxidize into aldehydes or ketones, a significant enhancement in quantum efficiency is generally observed. − Gradually, the focus has shifted from hydrogen production only to liquid-phase products in photocatalytic polyol conversion. − Chong et al show that glycerol can be selectively converted to hydroxyacetaldehyde under deaerated conditions by employing noble metal-modified rutile TiO 2 with a high percentage of {110} facets . Zhang et al report the selective oxidation of glycerol using Bi 2 WO 6 under aerobic conditions, where dihydroxyacetone is the major product because of weak adsorption on the photocatalyst surface .…”