Photocatalytic Dissociation of CH₃OH on ZnO(0001) Surface

Photocatalysis of CH₃OH on the ZnO(0001) surface has been investigated by using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) method with a 266 nm laser light. TPD results show that part of the CH₃OH adsorbed on ZnO(0001) surface are in molecular form, while others are dissociated. The thermal reaction products of H₂, CH₃^·, H₂O, CO, CH₂O, CO₂ and CH₃OH have been detected. Experiments with the UV laser light indicate that the irradiation can promote the dissociation of CH₃OH/CH₃O^· to form CH₂O, which can be future converted to HCOO^- during heating or illumination. The reaction between CH₃OH_Znand OH_ad can form the H₂O molecule at the Zn site. Both temperature and illumination promote the desorption of CH₃^· from CH₃O^·. The research provides a new insight into the photocatalytic reaction mechanism of CH3OH on ZnO(0001).