Visible-light-induced photocatalytic hydrogen generation on dye-sensitized multiwalled carbon Nanotube/Pt catalyst

Under visible light irradiation ( lambda >= 420 nm), photocatalytic water reduction for hydrogen generation was achieved over Eosin Y sensitized multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/Pt catalyst with triethanolamine (TEOA) as the electron donor. The highest apparent quantum yield reached 12.14%. Dilute HNO3 treated MWCNT catalyst exhibited a higher hydrogen generation rate than a concentrated HNO3 treated one. Characterization results indicated that HNO3 treatment led to formation of -COOH and -OH on MWCNT, which provided anchoring sites for Eosin Y. The results of photocurrent, photoluminescence, and photocatalytic experiments indicated that MWCNT trapped photogenerated electrons and inhibited the recombination of electron-hole pairs. MWCNT in catalyst might work as a charge-transfer carrier. The catalysts presented rather stable properties for hydrogen generation in a long-term run.