TiO2 and N-TiO2-photocatalytic degradation of salicylic acid in water: characterization of transformation products by mass spectrometry.

The aim of this work is to study the byproducts formed as a result of the photocatalytic process under different conditions of light wavelength and photocatalyst doping, rendering valuable information about the fate of pollutants for water treatment applications. Salicylic acid was selected as a model emerging pollutant and powders of nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (N-TiO2) and TiO2 were prepared by the sol-gel process, using TiO2 P-25 Degussa as benchmark. Two light sources, UVA fluorescent tubes (372 nm) and blue LEDs (462 nm), were employed for photolysis and photocatalysis experiments. Transformation products formed during the process were studied by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Major differences were found in the amount and identity of the transformation products due to the different light sources, detecting similar transformation products among the studied catalysts. Under UVA light, hydroxylated and carbonylated byproducts were the first intermediates to reach maximum abundances whereas presumed ring opening products were the last ones. On the other hand, under blue LED illumination byproducts accumulated with decreased mineralization. Photocatalytic degradation pathways were proposed based on the findings.