M/TiO2 (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen production under UV and visible light irradiation. Issue 14 (18th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Díaz, L.; Rodríguez, V. D.; González-Rodríguez, M.; Rodríguez-Castellón, E.; Algarra, M.; Núñez, P.; Moretti, E.
• Is Part Of: Inorganic chemistry frontiers. Volume 8:Issue 14(2021)
• Page Start: 3491
• Page End: 3500
• Publication Date: 2021-06-18
• Subjects: Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 546.05
• DOI: 10.1039/d0qi01311k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-1553

Abstract

Abstract : Cu/TiO2 photocatalysts can be considered a promising low-cost alternative to the well-known Pt/TiO2 system for hydrogen production under UV-Vis irradiation. Abstract : In order to improve the photocatalytic response of TiO2 to UV and visible light for hydrogen photoproduction, low cost M/TiO2 semiconductor catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method of five different first row transition metals (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu or Zn) on a commercial titania support. The maximum hydrogen production efficiency was achieved for the Cu/TiO2 photocatalyst, with ∼5000 and ∼220 μmol h −1 g −1 H2 production rates for UV and visible irradiation, respectively. Ni/TiO2 and Co/TiO2 also showed a significant photocatalytic activity when UV light was used. The best performing catalyst, Cu/TiO2, was characterized by TEM and XPS measurements. The data showed that Cu was highly dispersed over the TiO2 support and the copper species existed as both reduced Cu 0 /Cu + and oxidized Cu 2+ on TiO2 . Besides, during the hydrogen production reaction, the reduced Cu was partially oxidized to Cu 2+ by the transfer of photogenerated holes under UV or visible light irradiation. With UV and visible lamps, the H2 production rates were higher than those obtained with non-impregnated TiO2 by factors of 16 and 3, respectively. These results demonstrated that a Cu/TiO2 photocatalyst could be considered a promising low-cost alternative to the well-known Pt/TiO2 system for hydrogen production, making the Cu-based catalyst an ideal cost-effective candidate for this reaction.