Effects of sonication on photocatalytic reforming of aqueous glycerol solution

Large amount of glycerol has been generated as a byproduct in the synthesis of biodiesel fuel and their effective utilization ways have been explored. Addition of glycerol effectively enhanced photocatalytic H-2 evolution from aqueous solution dispersing TiO2 photocatalyst nanoparticles. The deuterium labeled experiments clarified that noticeable amount of hydrogen atoms are supplied from glycerol molecules. H-2 and CO2 were mainly evolved under UV illumination. On the other hand, sonication to the UV-illuminated system enhanced the CO evolution and the amount of the evolved CO depended upon the intensity of the ultrasound. Sonochemical modulation of H-2/CO ratio is a promising approach to produce syngas, which is an important raw material in Cl chemistry.