Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation from Pure Water using Silicon Carbide Nanoparticles

We report here the photocatalytic hydrogen generation from pure (deionized) water under simulated solar light with silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles, without the assistance of sacrificial reagents or precious metal co-catalysts. We have studied the pH effects of the addition of methanol and the loading of a Pt co-catalyst on the photocatalytic hydrogen generation efficiency of SiC nanoparticles. We have found that SiC nanoparticles display the best photocatalytic hydrogen generation efficiency in pure water. SiC nanoparticles show activity in both ultraviolet (UV) and visible-light regions. The addition of methanol in water or loading of Pt nanoparticles on the surface lowers their activity. Thus, SiC nanoparticles may serve as an ideal model photocatalyst for future studies in generating hydrogen from pure water.