Direct combination of hydrogen evolution from water and methane conversion in a photocatalytic system over Pt/TiO2

Abstract

The CH4 conversion under ambient condition remains a challenge over the past years, and the production of the ideal clean energy of H2 is considered as an alternative method to meet the requirement of sustainable development. Herein, a new photocatalytic reaction system involved H2 evolution from aqueous water and CH4 conversion is established over Pt/TiO2. The synergistic effect between the two reactions of H2 production and CH4 conversion brings up the considerable quantum efficiencies of H2 production to 4.7% without sacrificial agent and CH4 conversion (the main products are C2H6 and CO2) to 3.3% simultaneously. The introduction of Pt on the surface of TiO2 particles facilitates the activation of CH4 and OH that can assist to produce methyl radical (CH3), afterwards more C2H6 (61.7% selectivity) is formed.