Role of the support on the activity of H3PW12O40 supported on SiO2 or TiO2 in Catalytic and Photocatalytic propene hydration: An EPR Study

Catalytic and catalytic photo-assisted hydration of propene to 2-propanol in gas-solid regime at atmospheric pressure and 85°C were carried out by using the Keggin heteropolyacid (HPA) H3PW12O40 (PW12) supported on home prepared SiO2, WO3, TiO2 or N-doped TiO2. The HPA played the key role both in catalytic and photocatalytic reactions; however, the support strongly influenced the binary material performance. The contemporary presence of heat and UV light improved the activity of the (photo)catalysts. EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance) has been used to understand the intimate mechanism underlying the photoactivity of the supported heteropolyacid and the role played by the support.