In situ FT-IR study of photocatalytic decomposition of formic acid to hydrogen on Pt/TiO2 catalyst

The anaerobic photocatalytic decomposition of formic acid to hydrogen on Pt/TiO2 was studied by in situ FT-IR spectroscopy. The molecularly adsorbed formic acid species is transformed to a formate species, and the formate species is transformed to carbonates during this reaction. The addition of water vapor in the reaction system strongly accelerates this photocatalytic reaction and promotes the H-2 production efficiency. The possible mechanism of the reaction is proposed.