Photoelectrocatalytic selective oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol in water by TiO2 supported on titanium anodes

► Selective photoelectrocatalytic oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol to 4-methoxybenzaldehyde was performed in aqueous medium. ► TiO2/Ti anodes were prepared by either Ti thermal oxidation or dip-coating in a TiO2 sol. ► The influence of the substituent group of the benzyl alcohol aromatic ring on selectivity and activity was investigated. ► Electron donor groups in para or ortho position positively affect the reactivity and selectivity to aldehyde.