Solar hydrogen evolution over native visible-light-driven Sn3O4. (30th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tanabe, Toyokazu; Tanikawa, Tatsuhiro; Nakamori, Katsutoshi; Ueda, Shigenori; Nanzai, Ben; Matsubara, Yasuo; Matsumoto, Futoshi
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 45:Number 53(2020)
• Page Start: 28607
• Page End: 28615
• Publication Date: 2020-10-30
• Subjects: Tin oxide -- Mix valence oxide -- Photocatalyst -- Visible light -- Hydrogen production -- Alcohol; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.07.160
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Low-cost semiconductor photocatalysts that can efficiently harvest solar energy and generate H2 from water or alcohols will be critical to future hydrogen economies. Co-catalyst loading and/or doping of foreign element at host material have been crucial for semiconductor photocatalyst to produce significant H2 evolution, so far. We synthesized native-visible-light driven Sn3 O4 photocatalyst, which significantly catalyzed hydrogen evolution from various alcohol solutions under irradiation of visible light (λ > 400 nm), without co-catalyst. The H2 production reaction proceeded through hydroxyalkyl radical reaction in the methanol solution. The apparent quantum yield was 0.4% for the Sn3 O4 competitive to that of visible-light-sensitive co-catalyst loaded doped photocatalyst. The enhanced hydrogen evolution is attributed to the desirable band gap and band edge positions (CBM and VBM) of the Sn3 O4 for H2 production in visible light, which would originate from atomically layered structure of Sn3 O4 . The Sn3 O4 material is good promising photocatalyst for solar hydrogen production from alcohols. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Sn3 O4 produced H2 from alcohols significantly under visible light without co-catalyst. Apparent quantum yield (0.4%) for Sn3 O4 competitive to co-catalyst loaded catalyst. Negative CBM of Sn3 O4 (−1.5 V vs SHE) is suited for hydrogen production. H2 production rate associates with solvent polarity parameter ET (30) of alcohols. H2 production proceeded through hydroxyalkyl radical reaction.