Photocatalytic decomposition of oil films floating on water using TiO₂ supported on hollow glass microbeads by sunlight

The feasibility of photocatalytic decomposition of oil films floating on water using TiO₂ supported on hollow glass microbeads was studied. The results showed that 100% of ethylbenzene and 78% of dodecane can be photocatalytically removed after 8 h illumination with sunlight. The TiO₂ supported on the hollow glass microbeads was not easily detached from the beads. After 150 h illumination there was no significant loss of the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂. Some intermediate products of photocatalytic decomposition of dodecane were detected.