PHI/PTI-Single-Atoms Photocatalysts Applied to Biomass Conversion

Abstract

This Master proposal will start with the synthesis optimization for PHI and PTI-based SACs and their preliminary characterization. In this step is expected to significant progress has been already made by the Ph.D. students (DD-1 and DD-2). In a second step, we plan to start the photocatalytic tests by the simplest reactions, in this case, the photooxidations. As mentioned in the body of the project, carbon nitride based photocatalysts are especially active to perform photooxidations. There are several reports in the literature about polymeric carbon nitride promoting the photooxidation of alcohols. Despite the large number of reports using polymeric carbon nitrides to promote the photooxidation of alcohols, none of them investigated the oxidation of allyl alcohol into acrylic acid, which is a reaction of great interest in the Biomass topic. The student will use these optimized conditions for the photooxidation of aromatic alcohols and compare the activity of polymeric carbon nitride with PHI, PTI, and PHI/PTI-Single Atom systems for the photooxidation of allyl alcohol into acrylic acid (Fig. 1-step 2). Furthermore, it is frequently reported that H2O2 is formed under photocatalytic conditions and its adsorption on the surface of the carbon nitride results in the poisoning of the active sites. As many transition metals are active in decomposition of H2O2, it is quite likely that PHI/PTI-Single Atom systems will present superior activities.