Photocatalytic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol to Benzyl Aldehyde Using Synthesized Zinc Oxide and Zinc-Doped Titanium Oxide
Abutu, I. O.*1, Kamba, E.A2
1Abutu, I. O., Department of Chemical Science, Federal University Wukari, Wukari (Taraba State), Nigeria.
2Dr. Emmanuel Kamba Alhassan, Department of Chemical Science, Federal University Wukari, Wukari (Taraba State), Nigeria.
Manuscript received on 10 September 2026 | First Revised Manuscript received on 16 September 2026 | Second Revised Manuscript received on 03 October 2026 | Manuscript Accepted on 15 October 2026 | Manuscript published on 30 October 2026 | PP: 14-17 | Volume-6 Issue-2, October 2026 | Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijac.B203806021026 | DOI: 10.54105/ijac.B2038.06021026
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Abstract: Photocatalytic oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds is important in various organic transformations because it plays a significant role in synthesizing fine chemicals, confectionaries, fragrances, and pharmaceuticals. This study compares the photocatalytic activity of synthesised zinc oxide and zinc-doped titanium oxide for the photocatalytic oxidation of aromatic alcohols to aldehydes. We prepared undoped and zincdoped titanium oxide (Zn-TiO2) by hydrothermal synthesis. We evaluated the photocatalytic performance of the synthesised photocatalyst for converting benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. We used powder X-ray diffraction to characterise the synthesised product. Gas Chromatography – Flame Ionization Detector was employed to assess the photocatalytic conversion activity of Benzyl alcohol (BA) via UV-Visible irradiation. The study achieved about 40% conversion of the alcohol and 80% product selectivity. This research also compares hydrothermally synthesized Zinc oxide and Zn-TiO2 as photocatalysts for the organic synthesis of aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzyl alcohol, where zinc-doped titanium oxide yields higher product selectivity than the undoped photocatalyst.
Keywords: Photocatalysis, Hydrothermal, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Aldehyde, UV-visible irradiation.
Scope of the Article: Analytical Chemistry