The present study reports quantum yields for hydrogen production using a Pt modified titanium dioxide (DP25) photocatalyst in a slurry medium, under near-UV irradiation. The photocatalyst was prepared using the incipient wetness impregnation method. The modified photocatalyst exhibited a reduced energy band of 2.73 eV upon Pt addition. Experiments were performed in a Photo CREC Water II Reactor. This unit allows the establishment of macroscopic radiation balances. These irradiation balances showed a maximum LVREA (local volumetric rate of energy absorption) of 0.15 g/L. Regarding hydrogen formation via H-center dot radicals, the addition of a 2 vol.% ethanol scavenger allowed achieving significant amounts of hydrogen free of oxygen. It was noticed that the rate of hydrogen formation in the presence of ethanol is a function of the pH of the water solution. It was also observed that the calculated 7.8% quantum efficiency showed good degree of photon utilization and confirmed the value of the Pt modified TiO2 photocatalyst and Photo CREC Water II Unit set up for hydrogen production, via water splitting. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.