Catalytic TiO2 oxidation of ethanethiol for environmentally begnin air pollution control of sulphur compounds

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds containing reduced sulphur such as thiols and thioethers are released mostly from biological activities and a number of manufacturing processes, such as papermaking and petroleum refining. Environmentally benign and cost-effective air pollution control technology for reduced sulphur compounds is still a topic of research, e.g., in pulp and paper industry. Due to its advantages, photocatalytic oxidation over titanium dioxide presents a potential alternative for the air treatment strategies. The temperature influence on the reaction pathway and kinetics of gas-phase photocatalytic oxidation and thermal catalytic decomposition of ethanethiol over Degussa P25 TiO2 was established by a continuous flow method in a simple tubular reactor at temperatures from 373 to 453 K. Kinetic parameters for ethanethiol were: adsorption enthalpy −45 kJ mol−1 and activation energy 42 kJ mol−1. Sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, acetic acid and water were identified as by-products.