Selective Photoelectrocatalytic Glycerol Oxidation to Dihydroxyacetone via Enhanced Middle Hydroxyl Adsorption over a Bi 2 O 3 -Incorporated Catalyst

Photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) glycerol oxidation offers a sustainable approach to produce dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as a valuable chemical, which can find use in cosmetic, pharmaceutical industries, etc. However, it still suffers from the low selectivity (≤60%) that substantially limits the application. Here, we report the PEC oxidation of glycerol to DHA with a selectivity of 75.4% over a heterogeneous photoanode of Bi2O3 nanoparticles on TiO2 nanorod arrays (Bi2O3/TiO2). The selectivity of DHA can be maintained at ∼65% under a relatively high conversion of glycerol (∼50%). The existing p–n junction between Bi2O3 and TiO2 promotes charge transfer and thus guarantees high photocurrent density. Experimental combined…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 22090031, 21991102, 22108008, 21978147, 21935001
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality

  Award: 2214063
• CU
  Central University Basic Research Fund of China

  Award: buctrc202011