Photocatalyst with enhanced stability for hydrogen production and oxidative reactions

摘要

A Ti02-based photocatalyst is fabricated as a composite of titania with adhered nanostructures which contain a non-noble metal in galvanic contact with a noble metal. The catalyst effectively overcome aging and/or deactivation effects observed in a system free of the non-noble metal. The composite material showed a corrosion protective effect on the photoactivity of fresh catalyst for over 180-240 days, and it enhanced the rate of the water reduction reaction relative to bare Ti02. Variations in porosity and non-noble metal content of the alloy portion of the nanostructures influenced the performance of the catalyst composite. The protective effect of the non-noble metal is through a cathodic corrosion protection mechanism.

主权项

1. A photocatalyst comprising a TiO2 material in surface contact with a plurality of nanostructures, the nanostructures comprising a noble metal in galvanic contact with a non-noble metal, wherein the noble metal is in galvanic contact with said TiO2 material and acts as an electron trap during a photocatalytic redox reaction, and wherein the non-noble metal maintains the noble metal in a reduced state.