Solar Energy, Vol.174, 1019-1025, 2018
In-situ Cl- ions formation during photocatalytic reaction of platinized nanocomposite for hydrogen generation
Platinised Titania is emerging as a promising catalyst for its chemical stability, large surface area, and good electronic charge transfer. It is one of the most efficient materials and has been studied over past few decades for photocatalytic hydrogen generation. Photodeposition. of Pt nanoparticles on TiO2 surface enhances trapping of photoexcited electrons and restricts recombination process. In this article we explored the influence of chloride ion formed during in-situ photocatalytic process, on photocatalytic hydrogen generation by scavenging holes. Illumination under UV-Visible light (400 nm < lambda < 700 nm) improves interband excitation and transfer of photogenerated electron to the conduction band of TiO2. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results reveal average particle size of Pt nanoparticle in the range of 10 nm with uniform distribution on TiO2 surface. In-situ photodeposition of Pt nanoparticle on TiO2 resulted in incredibly active photocatalyst for hydrogen generation due to in-situ generated Cl- ions. Also, to one of the highest reported (6.72%). The hydrogen evolution rate of 17 mmol h(-1) with apparent quantum yield (AQE). The AQE significantly higher than that for catalyst under solar AM (1.5 G) illumination (0.04%).