Operando FTIR study of the photocatalytic oxidation of methylcyclohexane and toluene in air over TiO2-ZrO2 thin films: Influence of the aromaticity of the target molecule on deactivation

▶ Simultaneous analysis of operating photocatalyst and composition of the gas phase. ▶ Methylcyclohexane intermediates do not lead to deactivation of the photocatalysts. ▶ Aromaticity of toluene plays a key role in the deactivation of the photocatalysts. ▶ Accumulation of benzoate species on the photocatalyst surface leads to deactivation.