Enhance photocatalytic of hydrogen production from water-glycerol solution over RuO2-loaded

Abstract

Study of hydrogen production from aqueous glycerol solution on RuO2-loaded LaNaTaO3 has been studied. This research aim is to investigate the influence of co-catalyst RuO2 and glycerol as a sacrificial reagent on the photocatalytic process of hydrogen production. La-doped NaTaO3 was prepared via sol-gel route. The RuO2 was loaded onto the LaNaTaO3 surface by impregnation method. The sample was characterization by Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffractometer (XRD). From XRD spectrum shows that the La-NaTaO3 photocatalyst has high crystallinity. The SEM analysis indicates that the size of La-NaTaO3 photocatalyst is ranging from 100 to 250 nm without agglomeration and RuO2 as a co-catalyst is well loaded into the La-NaTaO3 surface. The rate of hydrogen production increased significantly with a glycerol concentration. Loading RuO2 on La-NaTaO3 photocatalyst is proved to increase the rate of hydrogen production of 3.2 times with the addition of glycerol as a sacrificial reagent. The highest hydrogen production activity was obtained for 0.3 wt.% ruthenium loading. The role of co-catalyst RuO2 and glycerol as a sacrificial reagent has enhanced the performance of La-NaTaO3 photocatalyst since both play an active role in the separation efficiency of electrons and holes and the reaction of hydrogen formation.