Water Detoxification: Photocatalytic Decomposition of Phenol on Au/TiO₂

Summary.

 Photodeposition of gold on TiO₂ was conducted in situ in the photoreactor used for the reaction of phenol photodestruction. The Au/TiO₂ system shows better photocatalytic properties in the destruction of phenol contaminants in water than pure TiO₂. The gold cocatalyst prevents also the decrease of the rate of the photocatalytic reaction at higher phenol concentration observed for pure TiO₂. Hydroquinone, p-benzoquinone, and catechol are main intermediates of the photoreaction, which finally leads to total phenol mineralization.