Abstract
Titania gel formations were prepared by sol-gel method using titanium(IV) chloride $(TiCl_4)$, and its characteristics were analyzed by varying the $epoxide/TiCl_4$ ratio and the amount of water In the end, titania $(TiO_2)$ aerogel were prepared using supercritical drying process. VOCs such as benzene, toluene, and m-xylene (BTX) were oxidized using prepared titania aerogel and commercially available $TiO_2$, and its performance was compared. The surface area, pore volume, and average pore diameter of 1,2-epoxybutane are significantly smaller than the propylene oxide. And the titania aerogels with 6 moi of epoxides have high surface areas, pore volumes, and average pore diameters. As a result of photo-oxidation, conversion of benzene was reached about $70\%$, and other reactants were reached about $60\%$ similarly. The conversion of BTX was increased as inlet concentration decreased. The reactivity of titania calcined at $600^{\circ}C$ was greater than $400^{\circ}C$ and $800^{\circ}C$. Water is required as a reactants for the oxidation of VOCs, and the continuous consumption of hydroxyl radicals required replenishments to maintain catalyst activity. The activity ratio increased with increasing reaction time when enough amount of water was present in the reactor.
