Surface Defect Engineered Nano-Cu/TiO2 Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Production

Surface defects engineered nano-Cu/TiO2 photocatalysts are synthesized through an easy and cost-effective microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis, mixing commercial P25 titania (TiO2) and oxalic acid (Ox), followed by 2.0 wt% Cu co-catalyst (labeled as Cu2.0) loading through in situ photodepositio...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Liccardo, Letizia, Moras, Paolo, Sheverdyaeva, Polina M., Vomiero, Alberto, Caballero Martínez, Alfonso, Colón, Gerardo
Tipo de documento: artigo
Estado:Versão publicada
Data de publicação:2023
País:España
Recursos:Universidad de Sevilla (US)
Repositório:idUS. Depósito de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla
OAI Identifier:oai:idus.us.es:11441/159442
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/11441/159442
https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.202300418
Access Level:Acceso aberto
Palavra-chave:H2 production
methanol photoreforming
photocatalysis
surface defects
TiO2
Descrição
Resumo:Surface defects engineered nano-Cu/TiO2 photocatalysts are synthesized through an easy and cost-effective microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis, mixing commercial P25 titania (TiO2) and oxalic acid (Ox), followed by 2.0 wt% Cu co-catalyst (labeled as Cu2.0) loading through in situ photodeposition during reaction. The hydrothermal treatment does not affect the catalyst crystalline structure, morphology, nor the surface area. However, depending on the Ox/TiO2 molar ratio used an influence on the optical properties and on the reactivity of the system is detected. The presence of surface defects leads to intraband states formation between valence band and conduction band of bare titania, inducing an important enhancement in the photoactivity. Thus, Cu2.0/gOx/P25 200 (where g is the weight of Ox and 200 the temperature in Celsius degrees used during the synthesis) have been successfully tested as efficient photocatalysts for hydrogen production through methanol (MeOH) reforming under UV light in a MeOH/ H2O solution (10% v/v) by fluxing the system with N2, showing an increased reactivity compared to the bare Cu2.0/P25 system.