Photo-induced reforming of alcohols with improved hydrogen apparent quantum yield on TiO2 nanotubes loaded with ultra-small Pt nanoparticles

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 38; no. 34; pp. 14440 - 14450
• Main Authors: Languer, Mariana P., Scheffer, Francine R., Feil, Adriano F., Baptista, Daniel L., Migowski, Pedro, Machado, Guilherme J., de Moraes, Diogo P., Dupont, Jairton, Teixeira, Sérgio R., Weibel, Daniel E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 13.11.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Apparent quantum yield; Applied sciences; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Hydrogen; Hydrogen production; Photocatalysis; Platinum; TiO2 nanotubes; Water splitting; Water splitting; TiO2 nanotubes; Platinum; Photocatalysis; Hydrogen production; Apparent quantum yield; Hydrogen; Nanoparticle; Nanotube; Reforming; Quantum yield; nanotubes; Chemical decomposition; TiO; Titanium oxide
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2013.09.018

Photo-induced reforming of methanol, ethanol, glycerol and phenol at room temperature for hydrogen production was investigated with the use of ultra-small Pt nanoparticles (NPs) loaded on TiO2 nanotubes (NTs). The Pt NPs with diameters between 1.1 and 1.3 nm were deposited on TiO2 NTs by DC-magnetron sputtering (DC-MS) technique. The photocatalytic hydrogen rate achieved an optimum value for a loading of about 1 wt% of Pt. Apparent quantum yield for hydrogen generation was measured for methanol and ethanol water solutions reaching a maximum of 16% under irradiation with a wavelength of 313 nm in methanol/water solution (1/8 v/v). Pt NPs loaded on TiO2 NTs represented also a true water splitting catalyst under UV irradiation and pure distilled water. DC-MS method appears to be a technologically simple, ecologically benign and potentially low-cost process for production of an efficient photocatalyst loaded with ultra-small NPs with precise size control. [Display omitted] •Improved photo-induced reforming of alcohols for hydrogen production at room temperature.•Ultra-small platinum nanoparticles were loaded on TiO2 nanotubes by DC-magnetron sputtering technique.•Up to 16% apparent quantum efficiency for hydrogen production at 313 nm on 1.1–1.3 nm Pt NPs loaded on TiO2 nanotubes.