Abstract

In search a hydrogen source, we synthesized TiO2-Cu-graphene composite photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. The catalyst is a new and unique material as it consists of copper-decorated TiO2 particles covered tightly in graphene and obtained in a fluidized bed reactor. Both, reduction of copper from Cu(CH3COO) at the surface of TiO2 particles and covering of TiO2-Cu in graphene thin layer by Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) were performed subsequently in the flow reactor by manipulating the gas composition. Obtained photocatalysts were tested in regard to hydrogen generation from photo-induced water conversion with methanol as sacrificial agent. The hydrogen generation rate for the most active sample reached 2296.27 µmol H2 h−1 gcat−1. Combining experimental and computational approaches enabled to define the optimum combination of the synthesis parameters resulting in the highest photocatalytic activity for water splitting for green hydrogen production. The results indicate that the major factor affecting hydrogen production is temperature of the TiO2-Cu-graphene composite synthesis which in turn is inversely correlated to photoactivity.

Highlights

  • Carbon nanostructures are widely used materials due to their unique properties: well developed large specific surface area, high electron mobility, excellent thermal conductivity and flexible structure

  • The previous works deal with metallic copper and graphene oxide as co-catalysts [14,15] and nanocomposites constructed with: copper in the form of CuxO incorporated with TiO2, and reduced graphene oxide [16,17,19]

  • The higher photocatalytic activity of nanocomposites can be attributed to the synergistic effect between copper and graphene

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Summary

Introduction

Carbon nanostructures are widely used materials due to their unique properties: well developed large specific surface area, high electron mobility, excellent thermal conductivity and flexible structure. Most of the above mentioned photocatalysts have been synthesized so far via “wet chemistry” method and represent a wide array of products that are different in terms of morphology/nanostructure, none of which is a graphene covered nanoparticle identical on the one described in this paper In this regard in the present work, we demonstrate an entirely new material for hydrogen evolution from water photoconversion. The undoubted advantage of the virtualization of the new material design process is the possibility to perform a virtual pre-synthesis screening with a great focus on testing of various combinations of the synthesis parameters and/or different kinds of chemical and structure modifications This provides plenty of support in selecting the most appropriate synthesis parameter combination, resulting in obtaining the material having the properties required for the maximum yield of hydrogen evolution from water photoconversion. By combining experiments with theoretical investigations deeper insights into the optimal synthesis parameter combination for the maximum yield of hydrogen generation were gained

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