Hydrogen generation promoted by photocatalytic oxidation of ascorbate and glucose at a cadmium sulfide electrode. (20th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liang, Xinghui; Liu, Junchen; Zeng, Depeng; Li, Chao; Chen, Shiyang; Li, Hong
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 198(2016)
• Page Start: 40
• Page End: 48
• Publication Date: 2016-04-20
• Subjects: Hydrogen generation -- Photocatalytic fuel cell -- Glucose -- Ascorbic acid -- Cadmium sulfide; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.03.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Photocatalytic oxidation of AA and GLU occurs on CdS/ITO electrode. Photocatalytic oxidation of AA can be enhanced by GLU. Photocatalytic oxidation of AA and GLU promotes hydrogen generation. Solar-to-hydrogen and fuel-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies are determined. Abstract: Photocatalytic oxidation of ascorbate (AA) and glucose (GLU) on a visible light-sensitive cadmium sulfide nanoparticle modified indium-tin oxide (CdS/ITO) electrode has been successfully used to synergistically promote the photoelectrochemical generation of hydrogen on a porous nickel cathode. In a neutral medium, the photocatalytic oxidation of AA is found to drive the oxidation of GLU on the visible light-excited CdS/ITO anode, which yields the photovoltaic effect to improve the hydrogen evolution reactions. The optimized monopolar photocatalytic fuel cell using 0.1 mol L −1 AA and 0.1 mol L −1 GLU as fuel shows open-circuit photovoltage of 0.571 V ( vs . SCE) upon visible light irradiation of 0.18 mW cm −2, short-circuit photocurrent density of 166.67 μA cm −2, maximum power density of 23.34 μW cm −2 at 0.275 V. The simultaneous presence of AA and GLU leads to a 22.1-fold increase of photoenergy conversion efficiency in contrast to that without fuel. Furthermore, the photocatalytic responses of the CdS/ITO electrode towards the oxidation of AA and GLU are found to remarkably promote the photoelectrochemical generation of hydrogen, which is evaluated with solar-to-hydrogen and fuel-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies. This present study provides a new approach for better utilizing renewable energy sources to promote the hydrogen generation.