Promoting H2 photoproduction of TiO2-based materials by surface decoration with Pt nanoparticles and SnS2 nanoplatelets

The production of hydrogen from the photoreforming of sacrificial alcohols was essayed using an anatase-based ternary system having N nanoparticles and SnS2 nanoplatelets at the surface of the oxide support. Contact between phases was optimized to achieve optimum functional properties under UV and visible illumination, providing the basis for an excellent profit of solar light as measured by the evaluation of the quantum efficiency of the process. The study of the charge carrier fate using photoluminescence and the reactants under reaction conditions using infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that the outstanding photoactivity is connected with the occurrence of multiple cooperative effects between the components of the ternary system, taking place under all (UV and visible) illumination conditions and: i) facilitating charge carrier separation as well as ii) driving the evolution of the carbon-containing intermediates and concomitant hydrogen production.