Manel Machreki (Author), Artem V. Badasyan (Author), Dušan Žigon (Author), Georgi Tyuliev (Author), Saim Emin (Author)

Abstract

Transformation of biomass into value-added chemicals and fuels is considered an upcycling process that is beneficial to resource utilization. In this study, we used a photoelectrochemical (PEC) approach for selective oxidation of propane-1,2,3-triol to dihydroxyacetone (DHA) with high efficiency and selectivity (99%) using Sn-doped -Fe2O3 (Sn:-Fe2O3) thin films with intrinsic oxygen vacancies (OVs). DHA is an essential compound utilized in the cosmetic industry. In a similar manner, we conducted the first study of the PEC oxidation of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol under visible light. A kinetic model has been formulated and solved to find the time-dependent generation of the products. Electrochemical impedance analyses and PEC experiments demonstrated a correlation between the concentration of molecules and the catalytic performance of Sn:-Fe2O3. Studies using scavengers indicate that the photogenerated holes (h+), singlet oxygen (1O2), hydroxyl radicals (•OH), and superoxide radicals (•O2–) play key roles in achieving high PEC activity. This work provided a new perspective on designing efficient PEC systems for biomass conversion into energy and value-added chemicals.

Keywords

Sn-doped alpha-Fe2O3;oxygen vacancies;photoelectrochemical oxidation;propane-1,2,3-triol;4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UNG - University of Nova Gorica
UDC: 54
COBISS: 221378563 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 2213-3437
Views: 79
Downloads: 0
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Other data

Pages: str. 1-9
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ13
Issue: ǂissue ǂ1, [article no.] 115363
Chronology: Feb. 2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2025.115363
ID: 25646395