Structural transformation of Ga2O3-based catalysts during photoinduced reforming of methanol

• Published in: Materials research bulletin Vol. 95; pp. 71 - 78
• Main Authors: Vass, Ádám, Pászti, Zoltán, Bálint, Szabolcs, Németh, Péter, Tompos, András, Tálas, Emília
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2017
• Subjects: A. Gallium oxides; C. Photoelectron spectroscopy; C. X-ray diffraction; D. Catalytic properties; D. Surface properties; A. Gallium oxides; D. Catalytic properties; D. Surface properties; C. X-ray diffraction; C. Photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0025-5408; 1873-4227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2017.06.034

[Display omitted] •β-Ga2O3 is active in the methanol photocatalytic reforming under UV–vis irradiation.•PtOx co-catalyst is formed on the surface of Ga2O3 by calcination of Pt(NH3)4(NO3)2.•Introduction of PtOx co-catalyst results in enhanced hydrogen production.•In-situ metallic Pt formation during the photoinduced reaction is proved by XPS.•PtOx/Ga2O3 transforms to Pt0/GaOOH during the photoinduced reaction. In this work PtOx/β-Ga2O3 is prepared and characterized in order to test its properties in the photoinduced methanol reforming reaction using UV–vis irradiation. XRD, TEM and XPS techniques are used to characterize the fresh and recovered Pt-containing and Pt-free samples. Our results prove that in the presence of Pt the Ga2O3 is converted into GaOOH as a result of the irradiation and/or in situ photoinduced H2 formation. In parallel, Pt is gradually reduced and the unusually low value of the 4f7/2 binding energy of the metallic Pt component evidences electron transfer from GaOOH towards Pt in accordance with its role as cocatalyst.