EPFR formation from phenol adsorption on Al2O3 and TiO2: EPR and EELS studies

► EPR studies of phenol adsorption on titania and alumina show radical formation at 505 K. ► EELS of phenol/TiO2(1 1 0) at 90 K show π-π∗ transitions from intact molecule. ► EELS of phenol/TiO2(1 1 0) and phenol/alumina adsorbed at 525 K show shift in π-π∗. ► Shifted π-π∗ on single crystal corresponds to radical formation conditions in EPR.