Photocatalytic oxidation of methanol to methyl formate in liquid phase over supported silver catalysts

The selective oxidation of methanol to methyl formate by oxygen in the liquid phase under UV irradiation was investigated on supported silver catalysts. The catalysts exhibited high performance in the formation of methyl formate. The silver nanoparticles on P25 promoted the reaction through removing the photoexcited electrons from the surface of titania to extend the hole-electron lifetime. The surface plasma resonance (SPR) of the silver nanoparticles on silica was responsible for the formation of methyl formate. UV light itself was slightly active to the formation of methyl formate. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.