Hydrogen production from water using renewable energy source such as sunlight is gaining considerable attention in part because of the constant progress in the catalytic solid state properties. The limited light absorption of TiO2 i.e. only in the UV region dictates focus into different ways of modify and tune its bulk and surface structure in order to extend its absorption in the visible light region. In this study, we present the effect of different types of TiO2 on the photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production using mono and bimetallic dopant such as Ag, Au and Pd. In particular, the effect of different structural properties of TiO2 (morphology, particle size, crystallinity and surface area) as well as plasmonic metals including mono metals (Au, Ag and Pd / TiO2) and bimetals (Au-Pd and Ag-Pd) is studied. A narrow window is found whereby smaller particle size of TiO2, preventing electron-hole recombination rate due to shorter diffusion length, without compromising the crystallinity of the semiconductor. Au and Ag show surface plasmon resonance effect, along with their role as an efficient electron trap during semiconductor photo-catalysis, while Pd is an excellent reduction catalyst. Combining Au or Ag with Pd in appropriate ratios significantly enhance the activity for hydrogen production.

Photocatalytic hydrogen production from water over Au-Pd/TiO2 and Ag-Pd/TiO2

249th National Meeting (2015)

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