Photoelectrocatalytic conversion of biomethane and biogas to hydrogen over a nanostructured Ti/TiO2 semiconductor

This work describes the synthesis of Ti/TiO2 nanotubes by anodic oxidation of a Ti plate, followed by calcination in a muffle furnace, and their application in the photoelectrocatalytic conversion of biomethane and biogas to hydrogen. Morphological and compositional analysis confirmed that TiO2 nanotubes were formed on the Ti plate, with internal diameter of approximately 41.7 nm, tube wall thickness of 10 nm, and length of approximately 2.4 mu m. Electrochemical characterization demonstrated photoactivity of the Ti/TiO2 in the photoelectrocatalytic reactions, with lower recombination of e(-)/h(+) pairs in the presence of methane. The maximum values obtained for the conversion of biomethane and biogas using the Ti/TiO2 nanotubes during 5 h of photoelectrocatalysis were 516.5 and 333.9 mmol of H-2 respectively. Investigation was made of the effects of parameters such as the applied potential and time on the photoelectrocatalytic conversion of CH4 to H-2.

Automated summary

This study successfully synthesized Ti/TiO2 nanotubes via anodic oxidation and calcination, and applied them in the photoelectrocatalytic conversion of biomethane. The experimental results demonstrated that Ti/TiO2 exhibited excellent photoactivity, making it promising for methane conversion.