Thesis (M.Eng.)--Chulalongkorn University, 2000

To investigate the photocatalytic decomposition of isopropanol over titanium dioxide synthesized by glycothermal method and compared the activity with Japan reference catalysts (JRC-TIO1 and JRC-TIO4). From the results, Titanium dioxide synthesized by glycothermal method has higher surface area than the both of Japan reference titanium dioxide and only anatase phase titanium dioxide is found. For the photocatalytic decomposition of isopropanol test, it was found that titanium dioxide synthesized by glycothermal method has higher carbon dioxide selectivity than the both of Japan reference catalyst. Although the conversion of isopropanol is lower, the main product is only carbon dioxide which is less harmful. The main products from this reaction using JRC-TIO1 are acetone and small intermediate compounds which are not he desired product and more harmful than carbon dioxide. Moreover, titanium dioxide synthesized by glycothermal method has good stability for this reaction. Photocatalytic decomposition of isopropanol is most appropriate for low concentration system. An increase in the space velocity by increasing the flow rate of air results in decreasing the conversion of isopropanol. Changing the space velocity by changing catalyst weight from 0.2 g to 0.4 g results in increasing conversion of isopropanol. When catalyst weight is increased to 1.0 g, the conversion of isopropanol is drop. The reaction temperature has an effect on the protocatalytic decomposition of isopropranol. The conversion of isopropanol decreases with increasing the reaction temperature.