Photocatalytic reaction of 2-propanol over WO3SiO2 using high flux radiation

The decomposition of 2-propanol is used as a model to investigate the photocatalytic properties of tungsten (VI) oxide on silica gel. A high flux, simulated solar radiation source is utilized as the energy source for the reactions. The UV-visible photocatalytic activity decreases with an increase in percent of WO3 loading on SiO2 from 1% to 3%. IR radiation, carrier gas, and the lamp power also play an important role in this reaction. The IR and the higher lamp power tend to enhance thermal reaction by heating the surface of the catalyst. In contrast to helium, use of argon carrier gas also enhances thermal reaction. Presumably the catalyst surface temperature is greater in the presence of argon due to the lower gaseous thermal conductivity of argon. UV-visible photocatalytic activity is most obvious when a water filter is used to remove the IR radiation and helium is used as the carrier gas. This study also supports a procedure established earlier to evaluate photochemical reactions, including photocatalysis.