Hydrogen Productivity Analysis Using Low Concentration of TiO2-Au Nanoparticles on a Ultraviolet-LED-Based Photocatalytic Reactors
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Date
2021
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Abstract
The productivity of photocatalytic hydrogen generation via photo-reforming of organic compounds has not been studied under low concentrations of catalyst, which could lead to relevant cost savings in future real-scale applications. Herein, it uses half of the lowest concentration of nanoparticles reported of modified P25 TiO2 partially coated with gold. The nanomaterial is prepared using a non-energy intensive, chemical reduction method. Gold content on the TiO2 surface is reported (14%-surface; 9.1%-weight). Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscope image analyses show low agglomeration and non-homogeneous shape. Aggregates and gold nanoparticles reach average diameters of 92 and 3.8 nm, respectively. Photocatalytic experiments for hydrogen production are carried out at low concentration of nanoparticles (0.056 g L-1) in methanol-water solution (5%vol.) under 375 nm UV and visible light (20 mW cm(-2)). The system shows a catalyst productivity of 6661 mu mol h(-1) g(-1), a third of the highest reported productivity using methanol (which used a catalyst concentration 18x higher, an alcohol concentration 5x higher, and 100% anatase). The system shows an estimated reaction rate of 373 mu mol L-1 h(-1) with an apparent zero order kinetic, an overall energy conversion efficiency of 0.47%, and an apparent quantum yield of 1.03%.
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gold nanoparticles, hydrogen, low concentration photocatalysis, photo-reforming of organic compounds, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, ETHANOL-WATER MIXTURES, AU/TIO2 PHOTOCATALYSTS, AQUEOUS-SOLUTION, TITANIUM-DIOXIDE, H-2 PRODUCTION, NOBLE-METAL, AU, COCATALYSTS, GENERATION, REDUCTION