Abstract

STUDY OF SEMICONDUCTOR PHOTOCATALYSED OXIDATION OF ?-HYDROXYBUTYRIC ACID (GAMMA HBA) USED AS ILLEGAL DRUG AND PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES

*Dr. Pushkar Raj Meena

ABSTRACT

In the last century, scientists have made rapid and significant advances in the field of semiconductor physics. In 1972, Fujishima and Honda discovered the photocatalytic water splitting effect on TiO2.[1] Since then, many research efforts have been performed in understanding the fundamental processes and in enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2.[2] Semiconducting materials have been the subject of great interest due to their numerous practical applications, and they provide fundamental insights into the electronic processes involved.[3] The presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in surface water is an emerging environmental issue and provides a new challenge to drinking water, wastewater, and water reuse treatment system.[5] As a food additive[7-9], TiO2 (titanium dioxide) is approved for use in various countries like EU, USA, Australia and New Zealand; it is listed by INS number 270 or E number E-270. Gamma Hydroxybutyric acid is an illegal and dangerous drug and banned by various countries word wide and it can be easily manufactured with very little knowledge of chemistry. GHB is primarily known to the general public as a date rape drug. GHB has been used in cases of drug-related sexual assault, usually when the victim is vulnerable due to intoxication with a sedative, generally alcohol,[14] while available as a prescription for rare and severe forms of sleep disorder such as narcolepsy in some other countries, notably most of Europe, GHB was banned in the U.S. by the FDA in 1990. GHB is a central nervous system depressant used as an intoxicant,[18] although it produces a stimulant effect at lower doses due to its action on the GHB receptor. It has many street names, including G, Liquid G, Liquid X, Liquid E,[19] Georgia Home Boy, Juice, Mils, and Fantasy. Many remarkable organic methodologies were developed in the last century, but toxic properties of many reagents and solvents were not known. It is therefore planed to investigate photo- oxidation of γ-hydroxybutyric acid by semiconductors.

Keywords: Gamma hydroxybutyric acid, titanium dioxide, photocatalysis, illegle drug.