Elemental Bromine Production by TiO2 Photocatalysis and/or Ozonation

Abstract Significant production of elemental bromine (Br 2 ) was observed for the first time when treating bromide containing solutions at acidic pH, with TiO 2 photocatalyst, ozone, or a combination thereof. Br 2 selectivities up to approximately 85 % were obtained and the corresponding bromine mass balance values satisfied. The process is general and may be applied at a laboratory scale for green bromination reactions, or industrially as a cheap, safe, and environmentally sustainable alternative to the currently applied bromine production methods.