Study on Catalytic and Photocatalytic Decontamination of (2-Chloroethyl) Phenyl Sulfide with Nano-TiO2

Abstract

Catalytic and photocatalytic reactions of (2-chloroethyl) phenyl sulfide (2-CEPS), a mimic of bis (2-chloroethyl) sulfide (i.e. Sulfur mustard) were studied on the surfaces of titanium oxide. TiO2 nanoparticles (anatase, rutile and mixture of 80% anatase/20% rutile) along with bulk TiO2 were tested as reactive sorbents for reaction of 2-CEPS at room temperature (25±0.5°C). Reactions were monitored by GC-FID technique and reaction products were characterized by GC-MS. Data explores the role of hydrolysis and elimination reactions in the reaction of 2-CEPS on titanium oxide. In these reactions, 2-CEPS undergo photocatalytic reactions to yield (2-hydroxyethyl) phenyl sulfide, (2-ethoxyethyl) phenyl sulfide and vinyl phenyl sulfide. Also data reveals that the maximum decontamination of 2-CEPS was related to nano-TiO2 (80% anatase/ 20% rutile)/ UV.