LAUSR

In the present investigation, photocatalytic conversion of xylose by Copper (Cu) doped Zinc oxide (ZnO) was investigated under Ultraviolet Light emitting diode (UVA-LED) illumination. Photocatalysts were synthesized successfully by chemical precipitation method. The synergistic effect of 5 wt% Cu doped ZnO and addition of glycerol as oxygen scavenger improved conversion. The results from our study showed that %conversion of xylose, glycerol are 33.72%, 33.61% respectively and % product yield of 88.79% of Dihydroxyacetone(DHA), 19.87% of xylitol and 13.29% of erythritol were achieved when 1.66 g/L of catalyst were used in ambient conditions under 7 h of UVA-LED illumination. The varied temperature to 50 ± 2 °C had decreased effect on the product yield when compared to that of the reaction carried out at 30 ± 2 °C. High Resolution Mass spectrometry results confirmed the presence of the products xylitol, erythritol and DHA formed during the course of the photocatalytic reaction.