Enhancing Hydrogen Generation using CdS-modified TiO2 Nanotube Arrays in 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol as a Hole Scavenger

• Published in: International journal of renewable energy development Vol. 11; no. 4; pp. 982 - 990
• Main Authors: Ratnawati, Ratnawati, Slamet, Slamet, Toya, Farah Diba, Kuntolaksono, Satrio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Semarang Diponegoro University 01.11.2022
• Subjects: 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol; Anatase; Arrays; Cadmium sulfide; Carcinogens; Composition; hole scavenger; Hydrogen; hydrogen evolution; Hydrogen production; Irradiation; Light irradiation; Mercury; Mercury lamps; Nanotubes; Photocatalysis; Photocatalysts; Pollutants; Renewable energy; titania nanotube arrays; Titanium dioxide; tnta-cds; Toxicity; Trichlorophenol; Trichlorophenols; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 2252-4940
• DOI: 10.14710/ijred.2022.45139

Nowadays, the lack of renewable energy such as hydrogen, and other environmental issues are problems that must be resolved. 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) is classified as a recalcitrant pollutant due to its carcinogenic properties, high toxicity, and dangers to the environment therefore it needs to be eliminated. Hydrogen production using organic pollutant (2,4,6-TCP solution) as a hole scavenger on CdS-TiO2 nanotube arrays photocatalyst (TNTA-CdS) has been investigated at various CdS loading on TNTA and the initial concentration of 2,4,6-TCP. The TNTA sample was prepared by anodization and followed by an electrodeposition method to decorate CdS on TNTA. The H2 which was generated by reduction H+ and the 2,4,6-TCP removal was performed simultaneously by photocatalysis with TNTA-CdS as photocatalyst. The mole ratio of CdCl2:CH3CSNH2 as precursors of CdS deposited on TNTA (CdS loading) were 0.1:0.06, 0.2:0.12, and 0.4:0.24 and the initial concentration of 2,4,6-TCP were 10, 20 and 40 ppm. Meanwhile, the photocatalytic performance of the variations in CdS loading on TNTA and initial concentration of 2,4,6-TCP toward hydrogen generation was investigated in a photoreactor for 240 minutes under visible light irradiation with a mercury lamp as a photon source. The CdS decorating on TNTA was confirmed by SEM, EDX, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization. According to the UV-Vis and XRD analysis, the TNTA-CdS samples have bandgap energies in the range of 2.71 - 2.89 eV and comprise a 100% anatase phase. Based on the photocatalysis results, the optimum composition of CdS loading is 0.2:0.16 (TNTA-CdS-2) which produced the highest total hydrogen (2.155 mmol/g) compared to the other compositions and produced 1.5 times higher compared to TNTA at 40 ppm of 2,4,6-TCP.