Facile preparation and enhanced photocatalytic H2-production activity of Cu(OH)2 cluster modified TiO2

• DOI: 10.1039/c0ee00729c
• Publication Date: 2011-03-01T18:57:03Z
• Authors: Jiaguo Yu; Jingrun Ran
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 01 natural sciences; 7. Clean energy; 0104 chemical sciences

Cu(OH)2 cluster-modified TiO2 (Cu(OH)2/TiO2) photocatalysts were prepared by a simple precipitation method using Degussa P25 powder (P25) as support and copper nitrate precursor. Low-power ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) used the source for photocatalytic water splitting reaction. The samples show especially high H2-production activity from aqueous solutions containing ethylene glycol sacrificial reagent even without Pt co-catalyst. optimal loading content was found to be 0.29 mol%, giving an rate of 3418 μmol h−1 g−1 with quantum efficiency (QE) 13.9%, which exceeded on pure more than 205 times. This is attributed presence clusters surface TiO2. potential Cu(OH)2/Cu (Cu(OH)2 + 2e− = Cu 2OH−, Eo −0.224 V) slightly lower conduction band (−0.26 anatase TiO2, whilst being higher reduction H+ (2H+ H2, −0.000 V), favors electron transfer CB Cu(OH)2, H+, thus enhancing activity. work not only shows possibility utilization low cost substitute noble metals (such Pt) in H2-production, but also first time exhibits facile hydroxide co-catalyst .