Mechanistic Considerations on the H2 Production by Methanol Thermal-assisted Photocatalytic Reforming over Cu/TiO2 Catalyst

We have studied the gas phase H-2 production by methanol thermo-photoreforming using Cu-modified TiO2. Metal co-catalyst has been deposited by means of photodeposition method. The concentration of methanol in the steam was also considered. It appears that H-2 production is notably higher as temperature increases. Moreover, the optimum H-2 yield is achieved using methanol concentration of 10 % v/v. CO and CO2 were monitored as side products of the overall reaction. It has been stated that CO evolution is significant at lower temperatures. As temperature increases, CO evolution is hindered and H-2 appeared boosted. We have demonstrated that other reactions such water-gas-shift or formate dehydration would participate in the overall process. On this basis, optimal operational condition for H-2 production is attained for thermo-photocatalytic reforming of methanol solution 10 % v/v at 200 degrees C.

Automated summary

The study shows that the production of gas phase H-2 notably increases as temperature rises, with optimal yield achieved at 10% v/v methanol concentration. CO and CO2 are side products of the overall reaction, with CO evolution more significant at lower temperatures but hindered as temperature increases, leading to boosted H-2 production.