Photoassisted Mechanisms in Heterogeneous Catalysis: The Role of Surface OH in the Decomposition of Ethanoic Acid on Magnesium Oxide

The photodecomposition of adsorbed ethanoic acid was studied on a number of pure and mixed insulator and semiconductor systems having a wide range of acid-base features. MgO appeared to be much more active than any other oxide when oxygen was not present in the reactant mixture. On the basis of infrared, U.V.-Vis. reflectance and photoluminescence data it is suggested that in this case the surface hydroxy-groups which are known to absorb at wavelengths longer than 300 nm are involved in the photodecomposition process.