Visible-light-induced oxidation of trans-ferulic acid by TiO2 photocatalysis

trans-Ferulic acid (C10H10O4) oxidation in aqueous TiO2 dispersion is reported under visible light. The photoactivity is due to formation of a charge-transfer complex. The adsorption of ferulic acid occurs via bidentate ferulate species as confirmed by FT-IR analysis. [Display omitted] ► Oxidation of trans-ferulic acid occurs via a visible-active charge-transfer complex only on some kinds of TiO2. ► The main products detected were CO2 and vanillin. ► trans-Ferulic acid adsorbs on some TiO2 samples via carboxylate formation. ► The more hydroxylated TiO2 surface the higher the reactivity. The oxidation of trans-ferulic acid (C10H10O4) in aqueous TiO2 dispersion occurs via the formation of a charge-transfer complex on the TiO2 surface that is able to absorb visible light (λ⩾400nm). The main product is CO2, whereas secondary oxidation products are organic species such as vanillin, caffeic acid, homovanillic acid, and vanillylmandelic acid. Oxidation through the formation of a charge-transfer complex occurs only in the presence of specific TiO2 samples. Experiments in the absence of oxygen, in the presence of bromate ions and by using a phosphate-modified TiO2, have been carried out for investigating the reaction mechanism. In order to study the interaction between trans-ferulic acid and TiO2 surface and to characterize the charge-transfer complex, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance and FT-IR spectroscopies have been used. FT-IR characterization of TiO2 samples in contact with the aqueous trans-ferulic acid solution indicates that the charge-transfer complex formation occurs via adsorption of bidentate ferulate species.