Promoting hydrogen production by loading PdO and Pt on N-TiO2 under visible light

Nitrogen/titanium dioxide (N/TiO2) visible light photocatalysts were prepared using the sol gel method. The catalysts were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, reflective UV visible spectroscopy, specific surface area measurements, and X-ray diffraction. The prepared catalysts were used to generate hydrogen gas through the water-splitting reaction under visible light (wavelengths greater than 400 nm). Various N/Ti addition ratios were tested, and the hydrogen generation rates were compared to determine the optimal ratio. The maximal hydrogen production rate (approximately 55 mu mol h(-1) g(-1)) was attained when the N/Ti ratio of N-TiO2 was 10. When PdO and Pt were loaded onto the N-TiO2 catalyst, the hydrogen generation rates increased to 544 and 772 mu mol h(-1) g(-1), respectively. The highest hydrogen production rate (2460 mu mol h(-1) g(-1)) was obtained when bimetallic 0.05 wt% PdO-0.10 wt% Pt/N-TiO2 was used. After three times use the hydrogen yield of the catalyst was maintained as 83%. A possible mechanism of water splitting catalyzed by this visible light photocatalyst is proposed. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.