Visible-Light Direct Conversion of Ethanol to 1,1-Diethoxyethane and Hydrogen over a Non-Precious Metal Photocatalyst

Converting renewable biomass and their derivatives into chemicals and fuels has received much attention to reduce the dependence on fossil resources. Photocatalytic ethanol dehydrogenation-acetalization to prepare value-added 1,1-diethoxyethane and H-2 was achieved over non-precious metal CdS/Ni-MoS2 catalyst under visible light. The system displays an excellent production rate and high selectivity of 1,1-diethoxyethane, 52.1 mmol g(-1) h(-1) and 99.2 %, respectively. In-situ electron spin resonance, photoluminescence spectroscopy and transient photocurrent responses were conducted to investigate the mechanism. This study provides a promising strategy for a green application of bioethanol.