Photocatalytic destruction of the water soluble diesel fraction (WSF) was performed using Cu/TiO2 catalysts. Inexpensive and clean solar light and atmospheric oxygen were used as the energy source and oxidant, respectively. We investigated the effect of Cu species on the formation of a doping energy level between the conduction and valence band in TiO2. Photocatalytic reactions were investigated by monitoring the evolution of WSF as a function oftime of solar irradiation by UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. The photocatalytic process in the presence of 5%Cu/TiO2 catalyst, is shown to be quantitatively efficient in the destruction of the water-soluble diesel fraction. The total destruction of water-soluble compounds originating from diesel residues indicates that photocatalysis can be employed for WSF treatment.
