Abstract
The photo-induced vapor-phase decomposition of dimethyl ether was investigated on Pt metals deposited on pure and N-doped TiO2. Infrared spectroscopic measurements revealed that adsorption of dimethyl ether on TiO2 samples underwent partial dissociation to methoxy species. Illumination of the (CH3)2O-TiO2 and (CH3)2O-M/TiO2 systems led to the conversion of methoxy into adsorbed formate. In the case of metal-promoted TiO2 catalysts, CO bonded to the metals was also detected. Pure titania exhibited a very little photoactivity. Deposition of Pt metals on TiO2 markedly enhanced the extent of photocatalytic decomposition of dimethyl ether to give H2 and CO2 as the major products. A small amount of CO and methyl formate was also identified in the products. The most active metal was the Rh followed by Pd, Ir, Pt and Ru. When the bandgap of TiO2 was lowered by N-doping, the photocatalytic activity of metal/TiO2 catalysts appreciably increased. The effect of metals was explained by a better separation of charge carriers induced by illumination and by enhanced electronic interaction between metal nanoparticles and TiO2.
Highlights
The production of H2, with a small amount of CO, is an important project for heterogeneous catalysis
The primary aim of the present work is to examine the photocatalytic decomposition of dimethyl ether (DME) on TiO2-supported Pt metals, and to explore the best experimental conditions for the production of hydrogen
Exposing pure TiO2 to DME at 300 K resulted in a development of intense absorption bands in the C-H stretching region at 2950, 2921, 2878, 2842 and ~2830 cm−1 (Figure 1)
Summary
The production of H2, with a small amount of CO, is an important project for heterogeneous catalysis. More frequently used sources of H2 are ethanol, meHow to cite this paper: Halasi, Gy., et al (2014) Production of Hydrogen: Photocatalytic Decomposition of Dimethyl Ether over Metal-Promoted TiO2 Catalysts. For the generation of H2, almost free of CO formic acid is proved to be the more suitable compound [6]-[11]. The decomposition of all these compounds occurs at relatively high temperatures at 473 - 673 K even on the most active Pt metals. The primary aim of the present work is to examine the photocatalytic decomposition of dimethyl ether (DME) on TiO2-supported Pt metals, and to explore the best experimental conditions for the production of hydrogen. Attention is paid to the identification of surface compounds formed during the illumination, to the effect of water and to the photocatalytic reaction in the visible light. Note that the H/C and H/O ratios are the same as in the ethyl alcohol, which is the most frequently used compound for the production of hydrogen
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
