Nanofiber-Membrane-Supported TiO2 as a Catalyst for Oxidation of Benzene to Phenol

We applied a simple, low-cost design of glass capillary microreactor for the catalytic oxidation of benzene to phenol at ambient conditions. Polyvinylchloride-nanofiber-membrane-supported titania nanoparticle (TiO2-PVC) as catalyst and in situ production of hydroxyl radicals as oxidant. The reaction was monitored by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The reaction conditions were optimized and the performance of the microreactor was then compared with the conventional laboratory scale reaction which used hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. The microreactor gave a better yield of 14% for phenol compared to 0.14% in the conventional laboratory scale reaction. Reaction conditions such as reaction time, reaction pH, and applied potential were optimized. With optimized reaction conditions selectivity of >37% and >88% conversion of benzene were obtained.