Heterogeneous reaction of SO2 on TiO2 particles

The heterogeneous reaction of SO2 on TiO2 particles was studied using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). The influences of the oxygen concentration, relative humidity (RH), and ultraviolet (UV) light illumination (λ ≈ 365 nm) intensity on the reaction were investigated. The main product of the heterogeneous reaction of SO2 on TiO2 particles was sulfate with UV illumination and sulfite without it. The production of sulfate was promoted significantly with UV illumination or water, and there was a synergistic effect when both were present. In the dry system without UV, the heterogeneous reaction of SO2 on TiO2 particles was found to be second-order for SO2 and the initial uptake coefficient, γBET, was determined to be 1.94 × 10−6. With UV and RH = 40%, the reaction order was first-order and the initial uptake coefficient was 1.35 × 10−5.