Enhanced H2 evolution from photocatalytic cellulose conversion based on graphitic carbon layers on TiO2/NiOx

Hydrogen evolution from biomass via photocatalytic processes is possible but still challenging in the chemical industry. Herein, we report an enhanced photoreforming of biomass achieved by loading a graphitic carbon layer on TiO2/NiOx nanoparticles. Glucose and polyethylene glycol were used as renewable precursors to prepare a graphitic carbon layer on the NiOx nanoparticles. Enhanced hydrogen production yields of similar to 270 mu mol h(-1) g(-1) and similar to 4000 mu mol h(-1) g(-1) were obtained at room temperature and 80 degrees C, respectively, for photoreforming of a cellulose aqueous solution (similar to 2 wt%) over TiO2/NiOx@Cg. An interface between NiOx and the graphitic overlayer plays a key role in enhancing biomass photoreforming due to carbon modification for the nickel catalyst. This work demonstrates the feasibility of producing hydrogen directly from biomass by a single photocatalytic process, even over a non- precious metal co- catalyst with a fine- tuned structure of the carbon layer.